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Millvina Dean to miss Titanic commemorations
Ill-health has forced Millvina Dean, the last living survivor of the infamous sinking of the liner Titanic to cancel a public appearance she was due to make on Friday.
The event at the Turner Sims Concert Hall, part of a series of Titanic commemorations being staged in the city this weekend, was sold-out but the 96-year-old has developed a chest infection, resulting in the loss of her voice.
Millvina, who lives at Woodlands, near Ashurst, said: "I am truly sorry that I won't be able to do the talk on Friday as I was so looking forward to it and I hope people won't be too disappointed.''
Now the sole survivor of the disaster that claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people, Millvina was just a baby when she, her mother and brother were saved in one of Titanic's lifeboats, after the White Star liner foundered during her maiden voyage from Southampton.
This weekend's events will mark the 96th anniversary of the loss of nTitanic and includes an open air service at Southampton's Holy Rood Church in the High Street at 12noon on Sunday.
People who have already bought tickets for the event at the Turner Sims Concert Hall, should contact the box office for a full refund. Call 023 8059 5151.
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CommentPosted by: Derek, Dibden Purlieu on 11:17am Wed 9 Apr 08
[quote]will share her 96 years of anecdotes[/quote]
In other words, she knows no more about the sinking than anyone else who has spoken to one of the other survivors.
will share her 96 years of anecdotes
In other words, she knows no more about the sinking than anyone else who has spoken to one of the other survivors.
Posted by: The Star Chamber on 12:29pm Wed 9 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Derek[/bold] wrote:
[quote]will share her 96 years of anecdotes[/quote] In other words, she knows no more about the sinking than anyone else who has spoken to one of the other survivors.[/quote] I tend to agree - I wanted to go but the call of the piste was just too great.
She has rather milked the issue in recent years, having paid no particularly interest in the matter for most of her life.
Derek wrote:
will share her 96 years of anecdotes
In other words, she knows no more about the sinking than anyone else who has spoken to one of the other survivors.
I tend to agree - I wanted to go but the call of the piste was just too great.
She has rather milked the issue in recent years, having paid no particularly interest in the matter for most of her life.
Posted by: Johnw, Southampton on 1:04pm Wed 9 Apr 08
[quote][bold]The Star Chamber[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Derek[/bold] wrote: [quote]will share her 96 years of anecdotes[/quote] In other words, she knows no more about the sinking than anyone else who has spoken to one of the other survivors.[/quote] I tend to agree - I wanted to go but the call of the piste was just too great. She has rather milked the issue in recent years, having paid no particularly interest in the matter for most of her life.[/quote] Mind you! Bloody hell, why should this elderely lady be made to give a talk on something that occurred before she developed a memory? What was she going to talk about and for how long? I think that if I were her I wouuld have done a Reggie Perrin to get out of it!!!!!!!!!
The Star Chamber wrote:
Derek wrote: will share her 96 years of anecdotes
In other words, she knows no more about the sinking than anyone else who has spoken to one of the other survivors.
I tend to agree - I wanted to go but the call of the piste was just too great. She has rather milked the issue in recent years, having paid no particularly interest in the matter for most of her life.
Mind you! Bloody hell, why should this elderely lady be made to give a talk on something that occurred before she developed a memory? What was she going to talk about and for how long? I think that if I were her I wouuld have done a Reggie Perrin to get out of it!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jamesh, Hants on 1:09pm Wed 9 Apr 08
[quote][bold]The Star Chamber[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Derek[/bold] wrote: [quote]will share her 96 years of anecdotes[/quote] In other words, she knows no more about the sinking than anyone else who has spoken to one of the other survivors.[/quote] I tend to agree - I wanted to go but the call of the piste was just too great. She has rather milked the issue in recent years, having paid no particularly interest in the matter for most of her life.[/quote] I'd have done a Reggie Perrin to get out of it if I was her. What on earth was the dear lady going to tell us that james cameron hasn't already. Perhaps she liked the idea of being the old girl in the film?
The Star Chamber wrote:
Derek wrote: will share her 96 years of anecdotes
In other words, she knows no more about the sinking than anyone else who has spoken to one of the other survivors.
I tend to agree - I wanted to go but the call of the piste was just too great. She has rather milked the issue in recent years, having paid no particularly interest in the matter for most of her life.
I'd have done a Reggie Perrin to get out of it if I was her. What on earth was the dear lady going to tell us that james cameron hasn't already. Perhaps she liked the idea of being the old girl in the film?
Posted by: Darrell MacInnis, Nova Scotia,Canada on 8:19pm Fri 11 Apr 08
I agreeto the fact that she wasn't really aware at the time of the sinking,but the fact that she is the last living personto have actually sailed on the Titanic is quite special in itself.
I agreeto the fact that she wasn't really aware at the time of the sinking,but the fact that she is the last living personto have actually sailed on the Titanic is quite special in itself.
Posted by: Cliff Ismay, cumbria on 12:10am Sat 12 Apr 08
I dare say that the old lady will have had a first hand account given by her mother and others. As for James Cameron, we souldn't believe all that he told us.
I dare say that the old lady will have had a first hand account given by her mother and others. As for James Cameron, we souldn't believe all that he told us.
Posted by: Teri Milch, USA on 3:34pm Sun 13 Apr 08
I agree with Cliff -- Millvina has her mother's first-hand account of the disaster.
Cliff is correct again -- although Cameron created a masterpiece, there were some major historical errors in the film.
I agree with Cliff -- Millvina has her mother's first-hand account of the disaster.
Cliff is correct again -- although Cameron created a masterpiece, there were some major historical errors in the film.
Posted by: Catherine Nichols, USA Indianapolis, IN. on 2:07am Mon 14 Apr 08
The important point to remember is indeed that Millvina is the last living survivor of the Titanic and also that she is 96 years of age. I know this beautiful lady personally and feel honored that she has graciously allowed us the public from many corners of the world into her private life and share herself and her connection to the ship. May everyone remember that she lost her father in the sinking and never had a chance to even know him much less remember him. Such a tragic loss and yet sadly some people are critical that she doesn't remember the ship. Please, let us all wish her well and better days. Cheers to you, Dear, Dear Lady.
The important point to remember is indeed that Millvina is the last living survivor of the Titanic and also that she is 96 years of age. I know this beautiful lady personally and feel honored that she has graciously allowed us the public from many corners of the world into her private life and share herself and her connection to the ship. May everyone remember that she lost her father in the sinking and never had a chance to even know him much less remember him. Such a tragic loss and yet sadly some people are critical that she doesn't remember the ship. Please, let us all wish her well and better days. Cheers to you, Dear, Dear Lady.
Posted by: G. Robbins, USA Birmingham, AL on 10:19am Thu 17 Apr 08
Cannot believe someone would attack an elderly lady and accuse her of "milking" attention.She is special and a part of history.
Cannot believe someone would attack an elderly lady and accuse her of "milking" attention.She is special and a part of history.
Posted by: christopher sharp, staplehurst tonbridge kent on 3:18pm Fri 25 Apr 08
helleo i would liketo come and vist milivina dean sometime would this be possibile please could somebody please give me her address thank you
helleo i would liketo come and vist milivina dean sometime would this be possibile please could somebody please give me her address thank you
Posted by: Lisa, Tennessee (USA) on 6:59pm Thu 26 Jun 08
I think the fact that she was a baby and doesn't remember means nothing. She is the last survivor. To be in the same room with her would be an honor. I think everyone who said negative things needs to lighten up. She may have not had anything to do with it untill her 70's for personal reasons. Reasons none of us will ever understand)But it is her right. She is a lucky to even be here after what everyone went through on that ship.
I think the fact that she was a baby and doesn't remember means nothing. She is the last survivor. To be in the same room with her would be an honor. I think everyone who said negative things needs to lighten up. She may have not had anything to do with it untill her 70's for personal reasons. Reasons none of us will ever understand)But it is her right. She is a lucky to even be here after what everyone went through on that ship.
Posted by: david rider, kent on 11:20pm Thu 21 Aug 08
hi there.this lady special.can anyone one help me.l have got a lovely letter for millvina dean.l need a address to send it to.help
hi there.this lady special.can anyone one help me.l have got a lovely letter for millvina dean.l need a address to send it to.help
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