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Name: BALL, Samuel 'Sam'

Birth Date: 1.1.1900 Wigan

Death Date: 23.12.1992 Nairobi

First Date: 1926

Last Date: 1992

Profession: Planter

Area: 1930 Mabroukie Factory, Limuru

Married: In Mombasa 7 Nov 1929 Minnie 'Brydgette' Byrom b. 1 Oct 1905 Wigan, d. 3 Dec 2001 Nairobi

Children: Roger; Jean (Hartley)

Book Reference: Golf, Red 31, Hut, Women in Kenya, Barnes

General Information:

Women in Kenya 2002/1 - Brydgette (her real name was actually Minnie) came from Wigan in Lancashire to Kenya in 1929 to marry Sam Ball, an engineer with Brooke Bond. She sailed from England on the Llanstephen Castle to Mombasa, where they were married in the Cathedral on 7 Nov. 1929. They lived in Limuru for many years, where Sam had built and opened the Mabroukie Tea Factory. This was the second tea factory in Kenya, the first having been built by Sam at Kerenga, Kericho in 1927. During the fifties, they moved to Kericho and stayed there until Sam retired - for the first time! - in 1961. Brydgette quickly adapted to Kenyan life, and joined the EAWL early on. She was a regular entrant in the annual handicraft show, and won dozens of prizes for her exquisite tatting. She also entered shortbread, marmalade, lemon curd, bottled fruit, jams and gingerbread very successfully. As a memberof the Horticultural Society, she also showed flowers from her lovely garden, and won prizes for the best selection of geraniums, fuchsias, lilies and spring bulbs, among others. In the early 1960s, Sam and Brydgette felt unsure about whether to remain in Kenya, and decided to return to England, where they bought a house near Henley on Thames. However, the severe winters did not suit them, and they sold up and returned to Kenya in 1964 to settle again in Limuru. …… Sam died in December 1992
St Cuthbert's Church, Limuru - Samuel Ball, 1/11/1900 - 23/12/1992, aged 92  AND Brydgette Ball, 1/10/1905 - 5/12/2001
Hut 1927 Brooke Bond
Original member of Brackenhurst GC when it became 9 holes in 1931. 

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