Fond memories

Further to the letter from Alison Rundle (The last sultan of Zanzibar, September 21), I also was extremely interested to read the article City loses its resident monarch after exiled African leader leaves (September 16).

It triggered memories of my early working years in Portsmouth, with a princess of Zanzibar. During 1972-75 I worked as an account’s assistant in the upstairs office at Hoopers (Portsmouth) Ltd, the builders merchants, in

Kingston Road, Portsmouth.

During that time, a young lady around 17 years old, came to work in the office with us, I think as a clerk.

She was a quiet girl but had a beaming smile, infectious chuckle and was quite petite. She told us she was a princess from Zanzibar.

I remember her first name was Rim. She told us she and her family had come to live in exile in Portsmouth/ Southsea. For me at the time, it was really quite intriguing, exotic and of course very unusual to have someone from Zanzibar working with us in a little office in Pompey.

She was a lovely girl and a delight to work alongside, I can still see her beaming, beautiful face in my mind’s eye.

I think Rim may have been a niece of the Sultan, I can’t quite remember her exact relationship. She had a number of sisters and us girls in the office had met one or two as some of them met up with Rim after work every day, I think to escort her home.

I can’t remember who left Hooper’s first, Rim or myself but I have never forgotten her and have lasting memories of meeting and working with this lovely exotic girl from Zanzibar, she made a big impact on me, in a good way!

Poynings Place, Old Portsmouth