Thelma and George Coupland, long standing BRA members and yours truly recently paid a visit to Singapore and Penang, Thelma and George went all the way there for the wedding of their grandson Simon, English born, to his lovely wife Debora, Singaporean, both living and working in Singapore but getting married further up Malaysia in Georgetown, Penang. The wedding theme was Black, White and Pink, the Pink being a reference to Simon’s surname. Thelma, looking delightful in a pink outfit, brought before the significance of pink was realised, and George, not in pink, were standing in for their daughter and husband who unfortunately couldn’t make the wedding. As most important guests they were treated like royalty and as is the custom in Malaysian weddings, after the ceremony they were invited to a specific tea ceremony where the bride and groom offer the tea to each member of the families starting with the grandparents. This was a delightful moment for both of them and they thought it would be a pleasure to share it with friends.
I went to the wedding because being friends with Thelma and George and in being in Singapore at the same time, Simon and Debora very kindly included me. The whole experience was wonderful, though seeing a little flower girl all in black was a bit different, but realising that it is the custom, one soon got used to it.
Singapore is very disabled person friendly and there is a lot to see, and although Georgetown, Penang has a long way to catch up with Singapore it has a decided charm of its own, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Written and submitted by Judith – Newsletter Editor Mellieha Group
