New Milton Advertiser 18th December 2020

28 · Friday 18th December 2020

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Packing some Caribbean punchwith family recipe

Town youth worker set to bring her dad’s cocktail to stores

BY ROZ WATERS

A NEW Forest youth worker has launched a new Caribbean rum punch-in-a-can inspired by a recipe handed down by her father who arrived in the UK nearly 70 years ago as part of the Windrush generation. The alcoholic cocktail, which has its origins on the tiny Car- ibbean island of Anguilla, will soon be on sale across the UK via the company headquarters in New Milton. It has been named Uncle Ernie’s Rum Punch, in hon- our of the affectionate name given to the late father of Sil- ma Ramsaywack. She is well- known in the town through her role as the council’s youth ser- vices manager. She has been working with her family for more than a year on developing two varieties of Uncle Ernie’s Rum Punch for widespread distribution. She said: “I have been in- volved with running my family

Josh Ramsaywack (left), Silma Ramsaywack and Benny Fairfax

echoes her father’s dream of setting up an Anguillan beach bar more than 35 years ago. “Like my parents, I have waited until my children were grown up for pursuing this dream. After decades of working in health, edu- cation, local government, bringing up my children mostly on my own, I am so excited to start this new venture,” she said. “My father, Ernest Harrigan, known affectionately by all as Uncle Ernie, came to England from Anguilla in 1954 as part of the Windrush generation. “He and his wife Catherine, better known as Sister Bee, an- swered the call from the moth- er country to help fill jobs and build the UK economy after the war. “During his 30 years working

in England, Ernest would have reoccurring dreams of a beach in Anguilla called Shoal Bay, filled with crowds of holiday- makers relaxing there. “This was a little strange as during the 1960s and 1970s tourists were rarely seen on Anguilla – but Ernest became more and more convinced of his dream to build a beach bar business when he retired.” With help from Silma, Er- nest and Catherine retired to Anguilla and, soon after, their dream became a reality – as Ernest manned the beach bar while Catherine mixed up the recipe of special rum punch which later became the stuff of local legend. Silma said: “Hurricanes have destroyed the beach bar many times but each time it would rise again, and while Ernest

Silma, who hopes to remain in her town council role along- side developing the business, will be supported by her three children, including pro skate- boarder Benny Fairfax who will be a brand ambassador. She said: “Just like my fa- ther’s beach bar always was, my plan is for this to be very much a family affair.” Uncle Ernie’s Rum Punch is mixed using 100% natural in- gredients with no added sug- ar. It is available as a fruit rum punch or a slightly lighter spar- kling rum cocktail. The rum cocktail is a blend of dark Caribbean rum, natural fruit juices synonymous with the tropical island and a sprin- kling of spice. The website www.uncleer niesrumpunch.co.uk launches on Monday.

business – a beach bar on the tiny island of Anguilla for the last 35 years – and for a long time now I have been consider- ing a way to bring a part of that business to the UK.” Joining forces with her eld- est son Benny Fairfax, a world- class professional skateboard- er, Silma began meeting with drinks development companies in 2019. She said: “Covid has made the whole development process Silma with her dad Ernest Harrigan

more problematic but we are thrilled with the final results. The pandemic obviously threw up a few difficulties but we were determined to keep going – we had tasting sessions via Zoom, which was a new experience. “We are all set to launch our website and we are in talks with the major supermarkets about stocking our drinks in the new year.” Silma explained that her drive to develop the business

and Catherine are no longer with us, their legacy lives on through their daughters, ex- tended family and beloved beach bar.” Si lma (right) with her mum Catherine and sister Eileen

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