Hyacinth Stone

Hyacinth with Grandson Nathan, at Hyacinths’ house in Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, 1991

Hyacinth Stone moved to London from Jamaica when she was 18, in 1962. After marrying and having four children Hyacinth moved to Stoke, primarily as the cost of living and house prices were cheaper. “You know what, we were really pleased about Stoke. You could live next door to someone for years [in London] and you never see them, people just don’t have any time for people, for neighbours and that. Where [as] I find in Stoke the neighbours are quite nice. They go out of their way to get used to you and stuff like that, so that was good.”

About 2 years after moving to Stoke-on-Trent Hyacinth split from her husband. To support herself and her four children Hyacinth worked night shifts nursing on the elderly care ward at the City General Hospital, “Quite rewarding that was, I liked it. It’s hard work and you gotta have a lot of patience because some of them were so aggressive, *laughs*. They think nothing of landing you one when you go to them.”

One of them said, ‘What’s your name?’ and I said ‘Oh, Hyacinth.’ and then he said, ‘Oh I’ve never seen a black Hyacinth before.’ and I said, ‘Oh well, there’s always a first time.’ but he didn’t mean it in a nasty way, it was nothing to do with prejudice, he was just joking.”

Although Hyacinth looks back fondly on her work, she adds, “Still, hard work, full time with four children because they were all at school. So I would come home in the morning do the school run before I get in bed, tidy up before I get in, and in a couple of hours and you have to be up again to fetch ‘em.” Hyacinth worked on the ward until a shoulder injury led her to retire in 1991, giving her more time to spend on her favourite hobby, gardening.

Aunt Lilian Kelly Wilesden, known as ‘Mrs Lee’. She arranged for Hyacinth to come to England. Hyacinth lived with her until she got married. Mrs Lee was a dress maker, working as a machinist in a factory making clothes, Hyacinth got a job at the same company.

Not long after Hyacinth arrived in the UK from Jamaica, in a suit she made herself, London, 1962

Grace Christie with Grandmother Adlin in Jamaica, 1963. Grace is Hyacinth's daughter, who she had to leave behind when she came to England.

Cornelis at Aunt Lilian’s house, Wilesden, 196

Cornelis, Wembley, 1968

Hyacinth’s daughter’s, Monienne and Nemonee in Wembley, early 1970s

Hyacinth’s UK born children, Xavier, Cornelius, Monienne and Nemonee, 1973

Monienne and Nemonee, Our Lady’s Primary School, Confirmation at Our Lady’s Church, 1979

Xavier, Birches Head School, early 1970s

Monienne and Nemonee, were often at their second cousin’s house, in order to give Hyacinth a break, Nottingham, 1979

With cousin Madge in Nottingham, early 1980s

Christmas at City General Hospital, 1984 Hyacinth recalls, “One nurse was sent home after drinking too many gifts from the patients!”

Neighbour Nancy and Hyacinth at next door neighbour Aileen’s house at one of the Sunday gatherings, Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, 1985

First time Hyacinth returned to Jamaica, the lady in the white hat is her mother, the lady in the red hat is her uncle's wife, St Ann, Jamaica, 1989

Garden near Montego Bay, Jamaica, 1989

Hyacinth’s grandmother Cordelia Amanda Kelly was 102 when she died. Hyacinth was given the photo when she returned to Jamaica in 1989 after her death. The photo was found at her home in St. Ann, Jamaica.

Celebration for those who have worked a long service, from Stoke-on-Trent. Hartsthill Medical Institute. Taken A few months after Hyacinth retired, 1991

Hyacinth with Grandson Nathan, at Hyacinths’ house in Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, 1991

Hyacinth with her Grandson, Nathan taken at her house in Stoke-on-Trent, 1991

Nathan in Hyacinth’s back garden, 1992

Hyacinth with daughter Nemonee and grandson Nathan at Warwick castle, 1995

Daughter Monienne’s Caribbean Voices launch at West End Village Retirement Home on London Road, Stoke, 2012