The
Knottingley Central Club gave a farewell party for two men heading for
Australia. On Thursday a local man, his family and his batchelor friend,
left Pontefract on the first part of their journey to Australia.
For
36-year-old Geoffrey Jarvis, a driver salesman, his wife and four
children, who lived at East Parade, Knottingley, before the house was sold
recently, emigration was just a whim.
He
and his wife talked about it and eventually decided to promote their ‘spirit
of adventure’. A family friend for over 15 years, George Challenger,
also aged 36, decided to go with them because he felt he had nothing to
stay here for.
"I
have no parents and no-one to leave behind and we have been friends for so
long." he told an Express reporter.
The
party of seven went by train to Southampton, and set sail on Friday.
About
a year ago the two men arranged the emigration under the assisted
passenger scheme. Neither of the two men has any employment fixed.
"We are going with an open mind willing to do anything that comes
along." said Mr. Jarvis.
He
was expecting it to be a good thing for the children.
The
eldest boy, Steven, aged 15, wants to be a professional footballer, and
expects there to be more opportunity in Australia. Before he left he
played for Rotherham Intermediates. Mr. Jarvis had no idea what his
13-year-old daughter, Denise, who has been attending Pontefract Girl’s
and District High School, will do. Mr. Challenger commented "I am
just looking forward to it."
Last
Wednesday members of Knottingley Central Club gave a farewell party for
the two men and presented wrist watches to them.
