Successful Telecoms manager, Harrods Manager, Property Developer, Aids Charity Chairman and Fundraiser, Drag Artist and Agony Aunt. Many people, both in Gran Canaria as well as overseas, claim that they know the outrageous Sandra Lumumba, but do they really know the person beneath that blonde wig?

William is certainly a character and a born entertainer. He comes from a theatrical family. His grandfather was a theatre producer in Scotland and his parents were both singers. As a child, William spent a great deal of time in the theatre and he always wanted to go on the stage. His grandfather had great faith in William’s abilities as a singer, but William was none too keen on the idea and, as a teenager, became a dancer. He told me that he wasn’t very good at that either, but somehow I doubted that was the case. Later, William met his soul mate, Don, and they have been close friends for nearly forty years. William worked his way as the telecoms manager for a major oil company as well as buying, renovating and selling properties with Don. Later, after becoming very ill, William felt he wanted to “give something back to the community” and so, in the 1980´s William and Don worked and fund raised for the Aids Support Group in Windsor and William became the group’s chairman. The pair organised and took part in fund raising charity shows and it was another way in which William’s early background came to the forefront of their lives. William told me that he was also co-ordinator for the group’s “buddy” system and in one year alone he attended 35 funerals – all due to Aids related illness.

Later, William became a manager for Harrods at their Heathrow terminal – responsible for the recruitment, training and monitoring of around 200 staff. By all accounts, it was an outrageous time and William has many fond memories of his time with the company. Don had already moved to Gran Canaria and as William had always wanted a life in the sun he decided to leave his life in Harrods behind and join Don in their property in Gran Canaria. William worked as a barman, working in a number of local bars. He was a good entertainer, a good talker and listener and customers liked him. One of the bar owners suggested that he should “drag up” but William was not at all keen on the idea. It was only on a shopping trip to Las Palmas that he fell in love with a blonde wig and, without even trying it on, bought it and Sandra Lumumba was born.

For several years Sandra has entertained holidaymakers on the terraces and bars in the Yumbo Centre, swinging her many rows of pearls as if there were no tomorrow. Initially, Sandra would mime to recorded songs, but later Sandra discovered that she could really sing – just as William’s grandfather had predicted. Sadly, Sandra is now in temporary retirement, but may be tempted out from time to time. William, a chronic asthmatic sufferer, can no longer cope with the heavy smoke and late nights that Sandra demands. However, Sandra is still very busy on her internet website and offers her services as an “agony aunt” when needed!

William has had a “love affair” with Gran Canaria for nearly thirty years and it is now his home. He loves animals and has three cats, a cockatiel and a parrot to look after. He told me that “I never go back, only forwards” and that he has no intention of returning to the UK, “Not even to visit. It is too damp, too cold and the people too miserable”, he said with a smile. I asked William how the viewed the health service in Gran Canaria. “If I had stayed in the UK I would be dead by now”, he said. “The health service here and the treatment that I have been given has been first class and nothing is too much trouble”. William has had more than his share of medical treatment not only for his chronic asthma, but also for skin cancer and it was reassuring to hear of his experiences in hospital and the efforts that the staff had gone to ensure that William clearly understood both his condition and treatment.

I had heard a lot about her from William, and from many other people on the island as well. By all account she is “quite a girl”!

Sandra’s Website: http://www.sandralumumba.com

Paul grew up in Newcastle, the eldest son of three children. He started work with his father, who owned a wines and spirits business. This really was not for Paul and, just like his mother, Sheila, he wanted to play a part in the fashion industry as a model. Paul was a tall, good-looking boy who quickly gained modelling work with major fashion houses. Later his modelling work took him to France where he was in great demand by companies, such as Versace for both modelling and television work. Paul also had a major asset in the form of beautiful hands – amazing hands for a man. These hands became the focus of a series of advertisements for Cartier when his hands were photographed wearing immensely valuable Cartier rings and bracelets – encrusted with white diamonds.

After a very successful few years in Paris, Paul returned to Newcastle and became involved in public relations work. It was at an annual staff event when everyone had to cross dress for the evening that Paul made an appearance – in a frock. It was a revelation, both to himself and to others. Miss Beverly Hills had arrived with a vengeance! Beverly was soon in great demand in clubs throughout Europe. Later, Beverly became a very popular specialist act on the Northern club circuit and became hugely popular there as well.

Five years ago, Paul decided that he needed a new challenge in a new country and, with his partner, moved to Gran Canaria. Miss Beverly Hills immediately became hugely popular in bars and show bars in Playa del Ingles, entertaining audiences for fun packed evenings. However, this was also to be a period when Paul’s health deteriorated and he was forced to take some time off from work to allow his legs to heal. Thankfully, the excellent medical care that Paul has received on the island has saved his leg from possible amputation, and he is rapidly returning to good health.

So to end as we began, in Beverly’s very own words, “The prince in his mother’s eyes became a queen in the eyes of his peers. A title of which I am honoured and grateful and will endeavour to fulfil my duties with impartiality, dignity and grace (as long as my legs hold out!). I’m still here!”

Website: http://www.freewebs.com/missbeverleyhills