(9 Jun 1997) Cant/Eng/Nat
When the British Union Jack is lowered for the last time in Hong Kong at midnight on June 30th, 156 years of Royal Naval history will come to a close.
It was British naval officers who first scrambled ashore to lay claim to the Territory in 1841, and it is from the decks of Royal Navy vessels that Britain will bid her final farewell.
It will be a particularly poignant goodbye for one elderly Chinese lady who has forged a unique relationship with the sailors and their ships.
As one of the last British warships cruises into Hong Kong before the handover, another chapter is coming to an end in the Royal Navy's history.
It also heralds the end of a long and trusted friendship with a feisty 80 year old woman who has been devoted to the fleet.
A lady who is a Royal Navy legend.
Her real name is Jenny Ng, but she is known to all as Jenny Side Party.
Jenny's life has revolved around the Navy - the sailors her friends.
SOUNDBITE: (Cantonese)
"I like them very much, I've dealt with them for decades, all of the foreigners are good people. The most difficult thing to forget is, in the past the boats would come and I'd have to work for them. The foreigners would teach me how to do things. So that's the most difficult thing to forget."
SUPER CAPTION: Jenny Side Party
As the Beaver ties up alongside, Jenny does what she has always done: heads aboard, charms the crew and scouts for work.
UPSOT: (English)
"You are certainly Tamar's First Lady, Jenny. I heard of you even when I was a midshipman." (Lt Commander Nick Barker)
"I see, good, thank you." (JSP)
"What I would like to do is, if my temporary stand-in buffer looks after you, my main buffer is at home with his wife who has just had a new baby, so he will look after you and we will
arrange...." (Lt Commander Nick Barker)
"Everybody look after me, I very pleased that." (JSP)
"....and we will arrange for some work for you and some suitable payment. It's lovely to have you onboard."(Lt Comm Barker)
"OK, thank you very much sir." (JSP)
SUPER CAPTION: Jenny Side Party, Lieutenant Commander Nick Barker
And for those who haven't heard of her, Jenny is quick to oblige, her handbag stuffed with the memorabilia of her exemplary service as an "unofficial" member of the Royal Navy.
Pride of place is the British Empire Medal - awarded to her by the Queen of England.
UPSOT: (English)
JSP: "This medal was given to me in 1980. You heard that?" Officer: " I see in the paper in England. Your picture was in the paper."
JSP: "When my girls come up I go with you, we go looking."
SUPER CAPTION: Jenny Side Party
Jenny started work when she was 11 alongside her mother.
Working from "walla-wallas" and bumboats with her team of girls, Jenny cleaned and painted the hulls of all the Navy vessels coming into Hong Kong.
The teams were known as side partys hence Jenny's name.
A name that's familiar even among Royal circles.
Despite the sophistication of the modern British fleet, there's nothing better than good old-fashioned elbow grease to keep the place ship-shape.
But soon Jenny will be hanging up her cleaning rag for good.
When the Chinese take over on June 30th, that will be it - Jenny will retire.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"JSP: I see all the ships coming into Hong Kong. But now not very good. I not like that. Not very happy see.
Q: There's not much work for you and your girls?
JSP: No, no not enough work, that's all right, don't matter, I'm too old now.
Q: What was it like during the war?
JSP: Oh Japanese, not too good. No not many ships in Hong Kong.
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21 авг 2024
