James Boyd Cole - Jimboy
A Character Study.... by Margherita Petrie
The Tannoy system crackled into life as a cultured female voice announced the arrival of flight 709 from Trinidad. The dreary arrivals area of Heathrow Airport suddenly became alive as the vibrant colours, spicy scents and musical voices of Trinidad were swept in by the cold March winds and pelting rain.
The year was 1973 when Eliza Ramon Cole, (Izzy to family and close fiends) at long last arrived in England, accompanied by her two small children, seven year old Hilda May and five year old James Boyd, affectionately known as Jimboy.
It was 1968 when Giorgi left his home in Trinidad in search of work; leaving his wife Izzy, who was expecting their second child, and two year old daughter in the care of his ageing parents. He travelled to England in the hope of finding work. Before leaving, it was agreed that he would send for his family once he had found permanent employment and suitable accommodation for them all. In the meantime he would endeavour to send what money he could for their support.
Tears of pure joy flowed freely as Giorgi Cole wrapped his long awaited family in his hugely muscular embrace, covering their upturned faces with moist, thick lipped kisses. Having been a London Taxi driver for the past four years, Giorgi was filled with pride as he welcomed them into his gleaming black cab. The loaded vehicle resounded with excited chatter, joyous laughter and song as it conveyed all to their new home in Brixton, South West London.
The years passed speedily by, filled with a confusing mixture of doubt, isolation, prejudice and then abject grief when Giorgi,
suffered a fatal heart attack in 1989. Jimboy’s only consolation at that time, was whist visiting his father in St Thomas’s Hospital, he
fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful, Jamaican student nurse, Muriel Galli. More sadness was to follow in 1990 when Izzy died of a stroke – brought on, it was thought, by the shock of loosing Georgi.
Hilda May married in 1991 and gave birth to a bonny, baby boy Giorgi, named, after her beloved father.
1992 The newly qualified Muriel became Jimboy’s wife and they took over the family home in Brixton, where they were to raise their two children, Primrose Eliza and Ramon James. Muriel, now a district Nurse, was happy when she eventually became the
family’s main breadwinner, leaving her more than capable husband in charge of all household tasks.
Jimboy’s larger than life personality overflowed on all those fortunate enough to be involved in his life. However, since the
untimely death of his mother there has always been an almost undetected sadness reflected in his large, brown, smiling eyes. Tears
will occasionally form, but not fall, whilst singing a favourite hymn that he and his mother used to sing together in the choir of their
local church. His rich baritone voice also gives pleasure to the mainly Afro/Caribbean customers awaiting the results of his culinary
expertise. It is his dream to one day own, the small café where he has a part-time job. He loves to cook, he loves to sing, he loves to
laugh; love exudes from every cell of Jimboy’s being.
By Margherita Petrie
A Character Study.... by Margherita Petrie
The Tannoy system crackled into life as a cultured female voice announced the arrival of flight 709 from Trinidad. The dreary arrivals area of Heathrow Airport suddenly became alive as the vibrant colours, spicy scents and musical voices of Trinidad were swept in by the cold March winds and pelting rain.
The year was 1973 when Eliza Ramon Cole, (Izzy to family and close fiends) at long last arrived in England, accompanied by her two small children, seven year old Hilda May and five year old James Boyd, affectionately known as Jimboy.
It was 1968 when Giorgi left his home in Trinidad in search of work; leaving his wife Izzy, who was expecting their second child, and two year old daughter in the care of his ageing parents. He travelled to England in the hope of finding work. Before leaving, it was agreed that he would send for his family once he had found permanent employment and suitable accommodation for them all. In the meantime he would endeavour to send what money he could for their support.
Tears of pure joy flowed freely as Giorgi Cole wrapped his long awaited family in his hugely muscular embrace, covering their upturned faces with moist, thick lipped kisses. Having been a London Taxi driver for the past four years, Giorgi was filled with pride as he welcomed them into his gleaming black cab. The loaded vehicle resounded with excited chatter, joyous laughter and song as it conveyed all to their new home in Brixton, South West London.
The years passed speedily by, filled with a confusing mixture of doubt, isolation, prejudice and then abject grief when Giorgi,
suffered a fatal heart attack in 1989. Jimboy’s only consolation at that time, was whist visiting his father in St Thomas’s Hospital, he
fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful, Jamaican student nurse, Muriel Galli. More sadness was to follow in 1990 when Izzy died of a stroke – brought on, it was thought, by the shock of loosing Georgi.
Hilda May married in 1991 and gave birth to a bonny, baby boy Giorgi, named, after her beloved father.
1992 The newly qualified Muriel became Jimboy’s wife and they took over the family home in Brixton, where they were to raise their two children, Primrose Eliza and Ramon James. Muriel, now a district Nurse, was happy when she eventually became the
family’s main breadwinner, leaving her more than capable husband in charge of all household tasks.
Jimboy’s larger than life personality overflowed on all those fortunate enough to be involved in his life. However, since the
untimely death of his mother there has always been an almost undetected sadness reflected in his large, brown, smiling eyes. Tears
will occasionally form, but not fall, whilst singing a favourite hymn that he and his mother used to sing together in the choir of their
local church. His rich baritone voice also gives pleasure to the mainly Afro/Caribbean customers awaiting the results of his culinary
expertise. It is his dream to one day own, the small café where he has a part-time job. He loves to cook, he loves to sing, he loves to
laugh; love exudes from every cell of Jimboy’s being.
By Margherita Petrie