Tristan da Cunha Marriages and Anniversaries

Wedding of Philip Mansell and Desiree Repetto

Photos by Aniket Sardana

Philip Mansell and Desiree Repetto were married on the 19th March 2022 at St Mary's Church. Desiree otherwise known as Desi to family and friends is a Tristanian who resides in the Falkland Islands and travelled with her partner Philip Mansell (Phil) to Tristan for work related purposes. It was a long journey for the couple who travelled from the Falkland Islands, to the UK and then to Cape Town before finally arriving on Tristan in February.

The week leading up to the day of the wedding was very busy, as the venue had to be decorated, catering organised and final dress fittings ready for the big day. Family and friends were on hand to ensure everything ran smoothly.

With all weddings taking place in church, it is traditional on Tristan for the calling of Banns and due to the timescales involved. This was carried out the week previous.

The service was held at 3pm, family and friends gathered at the church to await the bride and groom's arrival. After the service Desi and Phil continued the tradition of visiting those who are elderly and unable to attend the wedding in person before making their way to the residency for photos and champagne. A dance was held in the evening and the whole community was invited to join in the celebrations.

Desi and Phil would like to thank all for their hard work in making their day special, for all the messages and calls they received and the photographers Aniket Sardana, Andy Schofield and Iris Green for capturing those special moments.

Desi and Phil with her parents Peter and Patricia Repetto	Desi and Phil with her sister Noelene Swain her husband Neil Swain and great niece.
Desi and Phil with her son Eugene Repetto, grandson and grand nephew	Desi with her bridesmaids (L-R):Glenda Rogers, Kirsty Repetto, Sharon Glass and Anita Repetto. Front row Desi's grandaughter and niece
Desi and Phil at St Mary's Church	Phil and Desi with her grand nephew
Desi and Phil with her son and his family	Cutting of the cake
Desi and Phil on the dance floor	Desi and Phil with her godchildren and partners (L-R): Wayne Swain and partner Conchita Repetto and Leo Glass and partner Rachel Green

Lars and Trina Repetto, Benny and Sylvia Green's Anniversaries

Report and Photos by Iris Green

Lars and Trina Repetto, Benny and Sylvia Green celebrated their 58th wedding anniversaries on the 20th January 2020.

Lars, Trina, Benny and Sylvia were delighted to each receive a beautiful cake made by Henry and his wife Elizabeth Moses who currently reside in Cape Town. The cakes which were made as a gift made the long journey to Tristan on the MFV Edinburgh to mark the special occasions.

Henry Moses, whose late father Sam Moses is buried on Tristan is a long time friend of the islanders. He worked on the MV Tristania, one of the first fishing ships to export the famous lobster and is a regular visitor at the Tristan house in Cape Town.

The weddings took place in the UK in 1962 not long after the islanders evacuation of the 1961 volcanic eruption, while staying at Pendell Camp in Surrey. 

Lars and Trina Repetto	Benny and Sylvia Green
Below: The beautiful decorated cakes made by Henry and Elizabeth Moses in Cape Town as a gift and shipped to Tristan.
At the time it was reported a special double wedding took place as Benny Green married Sylvia Repetto and Lars Repetto married Trina Glass on the last Saturday before their move to Calshot in three days time. Rev. Ron Brownrigg commented that perhaps one of the most memorable links with the Tristans has been the sequence of weddings in the last few days. Bletchingley Church was crammed with Tristans and locals’ side by side. The bridal parties maintained, unruffled by the TV and press cameras, their traditional poise and simple dignity, which the local community had come to recognise and respect. The comment by the vicar refers to the fact that Peter Repetto married Pat Swain in the same Church on Tuesday 16th January, the three weddings fixed to occur before moving to Calshot on Tuesday 23rd January.
Photo above shows the happy couples on their special day on the 20th January 1962

Joseph and Anne Green's Golden Anniversary

Report and Photos by Iris Green

Joseph and Anne Green celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on the 2nd October 2019 with family and friends.
Joseph was Head of the PWD Mechanical and Gas Department and Anne was Head Teacher at St Mary's School, both recently retired. On Tristan even at retirement there is much to do and Joseph and Anne are often out and about keeping busy.
Above: Anniversary cake made by Granddaughter Sasha Swain to mark 50 years of marriage.