Settling down in a quiet English town

by Louisa Adjoa Parker (Weymouth)

He first came here in 1997. It was a quiet, quintessential little English town. He decided to go for a week and it turned out to be 8 years. He needed a change of scenery, to get away from London. A flat came up and he decided to take it.

He couldn’t settle for years, was used to the hustle and bustle of a fast-moving city. He went back to London 8 times but was drawn back again. The last time, he gave in. If you’re ready to settle it’s a nice place to be – with the sea and rolling hills.

He met a lady here, who had a B and B near the train station. They became friends. She helped him to regenerate. He helped her with painting and decorating, and began to settle. He didn’t experience much racism, but when it happened it was very bad.

He was at the seafront with his lady-friend, and went to get drinks. There was a boisterous cluster of men at the bar. Suddenly he heard – bang – and saw black. His eye socket had been fractured. One of them had hit him with a pool ball in a sock.

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What Louisa Adjoa Parker says about Settling down in a quiet English town:

Inspired by talking to Lloyd, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and moved to Weymouth after living in London.