It was in 1958 that my wife Una and I travelled by sea from Norwich to Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia, a recently wedded couple seeking to extend our knowledge and understanding of other countries and other peoples whilst continuing in our chosen profession of teaching.

We felt immediately at home with both people and country. There; was a friendly bustle in the air, faces in city and countryside were happy and smiling, the climate superb, geography magnificent and the mix in the schools and class rooms stimulating and challenging. So not only did we remain but we put down strong roots taking out that house mortgage, welcoming the arrival of our only son, becoming Zimbabwean citizens and enjoying a full professional life during which we ran a boys prep school.

Retirement came in 1996 and with it the opportunity to devote more time to my prime hobby, Magic, the theatrical art of illusion. Yes, we had a Magic Circle but its membership never exceeded 15 in number and with Zimbabwe being the size of France, its collective talents were in great demand. I suppose I

could claim to have been on the scene a little earlier than Harry Potter and Hogworts School of Wizardry because I specialised in doing Magic for children - schools, birthday parties, clubs and associations - in a hall, living room, under a tree, on a patio. Active audience participation and many repeat bookings called for several differing programmes to counter active audience criticism of "we know how you did that illusion".

Then sadly the skies grew greyer - with particular reference to security - resulting in our return to Norwich in May last leaving behind our home and furnishings of the last 43 years. With our Norwich and Norfolk background we can hardly call ourselves refugees but an abrupt change of environment is not something we could recommend as a post retirement activity. I was the last member of that Magic Circle to leave Zimbabwe. Those boxes of magic came with me and Una firmly believes they will prove to be a great aid in our rehabilitation and readjustment.

But a bedrock has already been given us and here we wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to our immediate family and friends for the warmth of their welcome and their generosity and to all you good Coltishall and Horstead folk for your friendliness and many kindnesses.

Bernard & Una Williams