Fred and Marge Brockwell have recently moved from Zimbabwe to Overton

AN ELDERLY couple are settling into a whole new way of life - one that's a world away from the trouble-torn country they had called home for more than 50 years.

Marge and Fred Brockwell moved to Overton from crisis-hit Zimbabwe in May, after their daughter became worried about their safety.

From a world of turmoil, uncertainty and fear, the retired couple have settled into village life, regularly playing bowls and joining the coffee mornings. They have even taken to using a "bag for life", in line with the village's plastic-bag free attitude.

Speaking from their sheltered housing home, overlooking the River Test, in Kingsclere Road, Mr Brockwell, 95, said: "We absolutely love it here and feel very lucky.

"In Zimbabwe, I would queue at the local shop for a loaf of bread for 45 minutes only to be told they had sold out. Here, the local Co-Op seems like an Aladdin's cave.

"I've also been having fun at the bowls club, showing the youngsters how it's done."

Mrs Brockwell, 86, said: "We just can't believe how kind people are here. In Zimbabwe, we would never venture outside of the complex for fear of what might happen.

"Here, people come round to say hello and strangers stop to say good morning' in the street, even the children.

"We get e-mails from a friend back home saying how things are getting harder and harder each day, and how she finds it difficult to cope."

Mr Brockwell, originally from Southampton, first met his wife when he was stationed in Zimbabwe, then called Rhodesia, with the RAF. Mrs Brockwell had moved there from Scotland aged eight months.

After the Second World War, they moved to England, but returned to Zimbabwe after struggling in post-war Britain.

They lived for 53 years in a town in the Midlands province called Redcliff, and both worked for the local steelworks.

Their daughter, Kathy, who lives in Dubai, helped them move to Harare in 2003, after fearing for their safety.

As the crisis has deepened this year, with Robert Mugabe's supporters turning to ever-increasing violence as he strives to cling on to power, she became extremely concerned and, with the help of the RAF Benevolent Fund, relocated her parents to Overton.

Despite glimmers of hope that Mr Mugabe may have to give up control of the country, Mrs Brockwell does not hold out much hope for Zimbabwe's immediate future.

She said: "Even if Mugabe was to lose power tomorrow, it would take years for Zimbabwe to return to how it was."

Overton Parish Council chairman Alan Whitney is surprised at how well the pair have settled into Overton life.

He said: "They have a fantastic attitude and have been very active socially since they moved into the village.

"Fred enjoys playing down at the bowls club and I hear he does very well. My 11-year-old grandson met them and was very taken with them.

"I think it's good news for the village, especially when you think about where they have come from."

11:16am Friday 25th July 2008

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