This year, I decided to dedicate some of my volunteer time – something I try to do regularly, whether it's for children's charities or through my writing – to a truly unique project: the Northweald & District Miniature Railway, nestled within the Harlow Garden Centre.
How did I end up trackside? It was thanks to my colleague, Steven. Knowing my absolute love for watching trains and embarking on rail journeys, he suggested I join him as a volunteer. Initially, I just went along to lend him a hand setting up some signal lines. But I quickly found myself captivated by the atmosphere and the dedication of the team. Seeing the need for volunteers and enjoying the work, I decided to make it a regular commitment.
The railway itself is a charming 7.25-inch gauge setup. It’s managed by Duty Manager Nathan Jenkins and his grandfather, who also own a few of the locomotives you'll see steaming (or diesel-ing!) along the tracks. What makes it special is that it's a real community effort. Most of the other volunteers, including Steven's father Nick, actually own the locomotives they run there. It's a fantastic hobby for anyone passionate about miniature railways! (You can delve into the railway's rich history on their website: https://www.nwdmrail.co.uk/).
Now, for the unexpected twist. A few weeks back, someone mentioned they had a "Sri Lankan" locomotive, knowing my connection to the island. When I asked why it earned that nickname, the answer was a bit vague: "Ah, maybe because it's colourful?" Intriguing, but I didn't think much more of it.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was helping operate the turntable at the far end of the line. Phil was driving his M7 locomotive. As it approached, I remarked to Sheila (Steven's mum), "That engine looks remarkably like some of the diesel engines used back in Sri Lanka."
Her response stopped me in my tracks: "Oh, that's the Sri Lankan one! M7. Mount Lavinia 7." She even kindly spelled out the name for me: L-A-V-I-N-I-A.
Seeing that little engine trundling towards me, knowing its namesake, was truly amazing. I immediately shared the story of Mount Lavinia – the beautiful coastal town near Colombo in Sri Lanka, famous for its historic hotel. And, of course, I mentioned the romantic, albeit historically debated, tale of Lavinia, the local dancer who supposedly captured the heart of a British Governor. (It's a story often told, drawing from historical accounts and local legends, like those discussed in articles from Sri Lanka's Sunday Times regarding 'The mystery of Lovinia').
Discovering this unexpected, personal connection between my volunteer work in Harlow and my Sri Lankan heritage has added a whole new layer of enjoyment to my time at the railway. It’s a reminder that connections can be found in the most surprising places!
P.S.
The mystery of Lovinia: Much more than just a love story:
It is 1805, and the new Governor of the Crown Colony of Ceylon has just arrived to take up his post in the country. The Kandyan War continues unabated in the hill country and the local half-Sinhalese, half-Portuguese beauty, Lovinia, experiences the impact of these events on her blossoming life. Imagine being transported to Colonial Ceylon and guided on a journey of love, lust, and intrigue over 200 hundred years ago. This is exactly what author Roderic Grigson achieves with his evocative descriptions in his fourth novel, “The Governor’s Lover”.
Grigson tells the story of the forming relationship between Lovinia, the lead dancer in her father’s dance troupe, and the newly arrived Governor, Sir Thomas Maitland. A relationship that has the power to change her fortune and that of her father and family, whom she loves dearly. She is torn between two very different lives and must choose to follow her heart or her head.
History provides stories that must be kept alive to understand how different cultures developed and grew. I was quickly lost in the beauty, enchantment, and mystery of Lovinia and this time and place in history. By the end of the first chapter, drawn to her mystique and left with a desire to know more about her story – past, present, and future, I could not put the book down.
So important is this story to Sri Lanka’s recent history that the town of Galkissa, where their clandestine relationship took place, was renamed Mount Lavinia in honour of her.
The mansion built for the Governor as his country retreat went on to be the well-known Mount Lavinia Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Asia.
However, while history offers us this fascinating basic narrative, it leaves us with little else. Was this another love story, or was there much more to this dalliance?
The well-researched novel combines historical facts with spell-binding fiction, and you have a real page-turner. It immerses the reader into life in Ceylon during the early 1800s, painting a vivid picture of the opulent colonial lifestyle enjoyed by the ruling British class against a backdrop of poverty, anger and resentment among the locals who have lost their country to the European invaders.
So well presented are the areas in question that they force the reader to see the country in a new way and appreciate the historical significance of these neighbourhoods.
Surrounding the two main protagonists is a cast of equally intriguing characters who are each worthy of a story. They help to provide depth and texture and give the reader a real appreciation for life during those times. The author’s experience growing up in Ceylon and his knowledge of the country have allowed him to put the reader right in the middle of the events in the story. His effortless writing style, carried through this novel and all his previous novels, creates a sense of excitement through its unexpected twists and turns.
More importantly, through the characters’ lives, the book presents the internal conflict and conviction that we all encounter, showing us that nothing is as simple as “just a love story”.
The mystery of Lovinia: Much more than just a love story
Ajith - 01/05/2025