How Pauline Swaine swapped Meltham for new life and a new man in Caribbean

Jul 1 2009 by John Avison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“This made five weeks’ holidays in three months – I think I was hooked.” In May 2006 Pauline got a job as stewardess at Longwood bowling club.

But she was restless, and was back in Barbados in August for two weeks to stay with her man, and off again with her mother in October that year on a three-week tour of Canada and Alaska.

“When I returned I knew Huddersfield was no longer in my heart and I had to take the gamble to be in Barbados.

“After Christmas that year I put my flat in Longwood on the market it sold it. In August 2007 I moved here.”

The immigration authorities were not happy with Pauline’s bid to become a citizen and sent her home two months later.

But she was back again in November 2007 with better credentials.

“The highlight of that stay was celebrating my 50th birthday in the company of none other than footballer Alan Ball (World Cup winner 1966).

“We chatted at great length on Town and his mate Dennis Law, sadly Alan died only a month later. I still have dinner and drinks with his long time partner Val when she visits the island,” said Pauline.

The relationship she’d struck up on the island faltered, and she was introduced to Alvin Ricardo Hinds, who became her husband on April 4 this year.

They were married on the beach at the highly popular resort of St James.

“My husband is a fisherman and my weekends are mostly taken up on the sea with him for 10 hours of peace sunshine and the beauty of the Caribbean ocean.

“We have recently got hold of a beautiful beach house which we are converting into a bar and restaurant this should be open in November this year. It overlooks the Caribbean sea on three levels of wooden decking,” said Pauline.

“I am also doing some work with the BCA (Barbados Cricket Association) organising cricket tours to Barbados and to meet the great legends of cricket like Sir Garfield Sobers.

“These guys are the best, so laid back, no airs and graces.

“I love my life here. I do miss my Mum and family but hey what better place can you have to visit a relative, with free accommodation?

“I never say never so one day we may return to Huddersfield but I don’t see it happening in the near future.”