LETTERS

A New Generation

Loretta Blencowe wrote from Toronto to tell of the arrival of her first grandchild. Henry Antony Benedict Blencowe was born on 14 February, son of Loretta's younger son Peter. Peter and his elder brother Chris are both army officers; Chris has served at least one tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Young Henry is the youngest member of the group of Sussex Blencowes who trace back, through the Blencowes of Essex, in unbroken male succession to Adam de Blencow.

Our Malayan Princess

(see Vol 25 No 1 Feb 2010)

I enjoyed reading the press accounts of the marriage of Joy Blencowe to Tengku Mahmud of Trengganu; they filled in details that were new to me. I met Joy and her second husband Eric Manning several times. They both attended the Reunion Dinner at Oriel in 1993 together with three of her children and (I think) one grandchild.

Malaysia has an elected monarchy, the Agong or supreme ruler is elected by the heriditary sultans for a term of five years. As Mahmud's elder brother was to be the first Agong, I can understand why there was some family opposition to Mahmud marrying an English girl who was not a Muslim.

Jack Blencowe,
Oxford

Michael Blencowe the Butterfly Man

Carol Buswell and Michael Blencowe


I was thrilled to see an article in the newsletter about Michael Blencowe and his. Outstanding Volunteer Award by the charity Butterfly Sussex branch. My niece and I were lucky enough to catch up with Michael when we were in England in 2007; he is a reasonably close relative of ours. His Grandfather James (Jim 1904-1988) was the brother of my Grandmother—Rose Jane Scanlan (nee Blencowe) of Bicester origins.

Looking back, trying to find his house was hilarious. I had only hired the car that morning and never driven in England before. To make it worse it was Bank Holiday and trying to get through Brighton to head out the Eastbourne way took us hours and hours. Then to find Michaels house! Thank goodness for his instructions along gravel roads in the middle of nowhere: it certainly suited butterfly hunting I can tell you! However, it was good to meet a relative that I had only corresponded with and learn about more relatives that I had never met.

Carol Buswell,
Victoria, Australia