History of Ceylon Tea

Vivian – late 1960s.

The Blazé family at the family home in Badulla (“The Lodge” which belonged to Vivian’s grandfather, Badulla Crown Proctor, Robert Ezekiel Blazé). Photo taken 1939. The four children seated on the ground are Vivian and his cousins :  L – R Christopher Moragoda Pinto, John Blazé, Vivian Blazé, Marbit Blazé

Vivian Blazé - Ceylon Tea Planter circa early 1950s.

Vivian and family at Mahadowa (c. 1950). L to R: Lucien Blazé, Lorraine Nathanielsz, Vivian, Louise Blazé (Vivian’s mother), Louis Blazé (Vivian’s father).

Vivian Blazé, 1950

Ceylon British Empire Games 1950 team – taken on day of departure. Vivian directly behind swimmer Shelagh Gaddam, Ceylon’s only female competitor.

Vivian hurdling c. 1949

Wedding formal group. L to R: Christopher Pinto, Starling Francke, Moira Loos, Vivian, Charmaine, Lucien Blazé, unknown bridesmaid, Frederick Aldons.

Vivian and Charmaine at wedding reception at Women’s International Club in Colombo.

Vivian and Charmaine at wedding reception at Women’s International Club in Colombo.

Vivian’s and Charmaine’s wedding day – 15th June, 1953…with bridal party St Marys Church, Bambalapitiya.

Couple with parents. L to R: Kingsley Moldrich, Louise Blazé, Vivian, Charmaine, Louis Blazé, Delia Moldrich.

Vivian and eldest child, Vicki. Taken either at Annfield or Rahanwatte..about 1955

Charmaine and Vicki. Annfield/Rahanwatte.

Charmaine and Vicki on slide at Nuwara Eliya park. Dianna de Vos (later Tissera) and Hans Blazé in background (1961 approx).

Hans, Vicki and Graeme Blazé at Edinburgh (approx. 1961).

Charmaine with their four children at Haputale Estate (possibly early 1960).

Vivian and Charmaine with their children at Edinburgh (1960).

Charmaine and children at Mahadowa (approx 1964).

The Blazé children and their dog, Mandy at Mahadowa (1964).

Graeme, Vicki and Hans at Mahadowa (approx. 1962).

Vivian doing field rounds at Mahadowa.

Mahadowa Manager’s bungalow 1968.

The four Blazé children at Sarnia 1969.

Vivian and Charmaine 1971 (photo taken at Studio Sancy in Badulla).

Farewell to Vivian and Charmaine organised by Mahadowa staff and labourers, held at Amanadowa Division bungalow (1969).

Farewell to Vivian and Charmaine organised by Mahadowa staff and labourers, held at Amanadowa Division bungalow (1969).

Farewell to Vivian and Charmaine organised by Mahadowa staff and labourers, held at Amanadowa Division bungalow (1969).

Farewell to Vivian and Charmaine organised by Mahadowa staff and labourers, held at Amanadowa Division bungalow (1969).

Photos from the Vivian Blazé Album submitted by his daughter Vicki Vanden Driesen.

1963 Merry Men of Uva.

Merry Men of Uva.

1964 rugby match either at Uva or Radella grounds.

1964 rugby match either at Uva or Radella grounds.

1964 rugby match either at Uva or Radella grounds.

Vivian – Captain of the 1964 Uva Rugby team.

Uva spectators’ tense moment (Uva grounds- Charmaine, Vicki, Hans, Graeme, Chintha Pilimatalawe, Vera Garnier and Jeff Koch are all in this photo, among others).

“East Wind”, Vivian’s and Charmaine’s holiday house at Panichankerni on the East Coast.

Vivian, Charmaine and family in holiday at East Wind on the East Coast c. 1969.

Jungle picnic at the East Coast (late 1950s).

Early morning duck shoot on the East Coast.  L to R: Hans, Graeme, Vicki, Vivian. Jackie Moldrich in jeep.

Kids on the beach at Panichankerni (L to R) Jennifer Jackson Smale, Vicki, Paula, Hans Blazé, Stewart Wright, Graeme Blazé.

Vivian on the lagoon at Panichankerni.

Hans and Graeme at East Wind.

Scottish Tea and Lands farewell to Alistair Scott at the Uva Club early 1969. L – R: Unknown lady, Ronald Munaweera, Alistair Scott, D.N.R. Wijerwardena, Monte Holsinger, A. Wanigasekera, Charmaine Blazé, Jivaka Atapattu, Donald McRae.

Scottish Tea and Lands farewell to Alistair Scott at the Uva Club early 1969. Ronald Munaweera, Lester Caspersz, Vivian Blazé.

Scottish Tea and Lands farewell to Alistair Scott at the Uva Club early 1969. L- R Melanie de Alwis, Charmaine Blazé, Hermoine Scott.

Scottish Tea and Lands farewell to Alistair Scott at the Uva Club early 1969. L-R Jivaka Atapattu, Ronald Munaweera, Hillary Marceline.

Scottish Tea and Lands farewell to Alistair Scott at the Uva Club early 1969. L-R Unknown man, Donald McRae (back view), Lester Caspersz, Felicia Caspersz, Alistair Scott, Vivian Blazé (back view), Neil Ranawana, Ranjan de Alwis.

Scottish Tea and Lands farewell to Alistair Scott at the Uva Club early 1969. L-R Charmaine Blazé, Anne McCrae, Hermoine Scott, Alistair Scott, Ronald Munaweera.

Scottish Tea and Lands farewell to Alistair Scott at the Uva Club early 1969. L-R Unknown man, Lester Caspersz, Donald McCrae, Alistair Scott, Lionel Pilimatalawe, Vivian Blazé, Neil Ranawana.

Scottish Tea and Lands farewell to Alistair Scott at the Uva Club early 1969. L-R Rita Marcelline, Monte Holsinger, unknown lady (possibly Mrs Ranawana), Anne McCrae, unknown lady, Ranjan de Alwis.

Vivian Blazé (in the foreground) at a ST&L managers’ and directors’ dinner, probably in the mid 1950s. Location unknown.

Uva Club New Years Eve Dance (probably 1970). L–R: Ira Goonetilleke, Helen Blazé & Vivian Blazé, unknown lady & Leonard Wickramasinghe.

Uva Club New Years Eve Dance (probably 1970). Seated around table and with faces visible are Richard Blazé, Helen Blazé, Vivian Blazé, Vera Garnier, Jeff Garnier (face partially obscured).

Uva Club New Years Eve Dance (probably 1970). The two couples obvious in the foreground are Vivian and Charmaine Blazé and Melanie and Ranjan de Alwis.

Staff farewell for Vivian prior to Blazé family’s departure to Australia at the Sarnia Group Staff Club. Probably April 1972. L–R: unknown man, unknown man, Vivian, Philip Goonewardene, Ranjan de Alwis.

Staff farewell for Vivian prior to the Blazé family’s departure to Australia at the Sarnia Group Staff Club. Probably April 1972. L–R: unknown man, Vivian, Philip Goonewardene (SD on Plaiderie Division), Ranjan de Alwis (SD), Graeme Blaze’, D.N.R. Wijewardene.

Vivian and Charmaine - Perth, Australia 1986

The Blazé family in Sydney, Australia. Christmas 1991.

Vivian and Charmaine, Perth, Australia…about 2003