17th August 1972
GREAT TIME IN RHODESIA

A Pontefract couple, visiting their two daughters in Rhodesia, met the Prime Minister, Mr. Ian Smith, were invited to a cocktail party with the President and Mrs Dupont and attended the ceremonial opening of Parliament.

Mr. William Major, aged 66, and his wife, Daisy, aged 64, of Willow Park, Pontefract, left England last August to visit their two daughters in Salisbury. They stayed for 11-months, five months with Avril, aged 32, married with two children, and six months with Margaret, aged 40, who works for the Government in Salisbury. Both girls were born in Pontefract and attended Pontefract Girls High School. Margaret went to Zambia in 1959 and then to Rhodesia; Avril went to Rhodesia in 1968. During their holiday Mr. and Mrs Major celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary and their daughter Avril paid for them a trip around East Africa as a present.

While staying in Rhodesia, Mrs Major helped the Red Cross Service by working as a ‘relief’ in hospitals, maternity homes and childrens homes. She served for eight months with the Red Cross whose members gave them a "Wonderful leaving party" on the last day of their holiday. It was during June that the couple asked permission to visit Parliament. "We weren’t allowed to take photographs," said Mr. Major, "which was a shame because as we walked in there was a life size picture of the Queen."

Shortly after their visit to Parliament they received an invitation to attend the ceremonial opening. Afterwards there was a reception at which they met Mr. Ian Smith. At the end of June came a surprise invitation to attend a Beating of the Retreat ceremony followed by cocktails with the President and Mrs Dupont – "both lovely people," said Mr. Major.

They made many friends and were given a terrific send off. "If we win the pools it’s Rhodesia again and this time to stay," said Mr. Major, whose wife smiled her agreement.

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