About Alex
Alex Morris Eyton, an octogenarian, farmed in Zimbabwe until he was evicted from his home and property during the country's land reform programme. Alex and Caroline were forced to abandon everything they owned, relocating to Harare. Caroline's wonderful export quality f lower seed grown on the farm no longer delights gardeners worldwide. Today, many of those rich productive fields lie fallow.
Born in England, Alex moved on from Mugabe's harsh land resettlement programme finding solace by correcting and publishing a tale titled Man of Bees, using the nom de plume Oliver Stuart York. In this astonishing novel, Oliver challenges the conventional views covering Zimbabwe's transition from colonial status to independence.
As a learner publisher, Alex was overwhelmed by the early success of Man of Bees, a fresh Zimbabwean best seller. He cannot believe the favourable reviews, especially from Cape Fine Radio, who compared Man of Bees to Wilbur Smith's early writing.
Encouraged by the Man of Bees triumph, Alex has published a second book, Athena's Vengeance, this time written by himself. The paperback is easily available in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Or order this novel from Amazon Kindle, Amazon Books, Waterstones or Goodreads in the United Kingdom.
Why, you may ask, did Alex publish Man of Bees using a nom de plume? Firstly, the actual author had to protect his anonymity. Secondly, Alex was unsure whether Zimbabwe's strict local censor board would approve the work, an unfounded fear.
And why did Alex, on behalf of the writer, donate all the author's proceeds to the Man of Bees Trust? You see, my reader, Oliver Stuart York - not his real name of course - wanted to assist distressed Zimbabwean farmers and their displaced workers.
Rhiannon, Alex's third publication, is every bit as riveting as Man of Bees. An English stock owner, unable to decide what to do with extensive notes he recovered from the banks of the Severn River and having enjoyed reading Man of Bees, suggested to Alex that he edit and then publish Angus Hamish Fraser's extraordinary tale.
The Illustrated London News
See a young Alex Morris Eyton on centre left of the cover.
Evicted from their home and farm, Alex and Caroline chose to stay in troubled Zimbabwe. David, pictured to the right of Alex, settled in England. Titus, top right, resigned from his job as a talented farm tractor driver and progressed to operating a huge bulldozer for a large earth-moving company. The farm children feature on the unique Illustrated London News cover, dated November 1968, the edition costing three shillings!
Belgownie Farm School, supported by Caroline, won the National Bell Award for the best Rhodesian facility of its class. To this day, a commemorative plaque remains on the wall of the fine brick structure erected by Alex and Caroline on what used to be their property until acquired during Mugabe's land reform.
Alex and I married in Salisbury. Flowers and my garden were an early fascination, so I purchased a packet of Iceland Poppy seeds from Kirchhoff's, a South African horticultural supplier. Over the following years, I selected the best papaver plants and collected the open-pollinated seed, concentrating on large blooms with outstanding colours.
One day, the Belgian Ambassador joined us for lunch on the farm. He raved about my poppies, urging that I do more with the selection. The outcome was an invitation to exhibit at London's prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, where I won an award. That led to a flower seed export business; delivering ready for sale varieties to many of the best-known seed merchants.
Sadly, it all ended during Zimbabwe's land reform. Following our eviction from the farm, my precious seed no longer delights gardeners all around the world. That is a pity. Alex turned to writing, and nowadays, I help edit his books. In Zimbabwe, we always make a plan when confronted by adversity. Despite difficulties, the sensible solution is to get on with your life.
- Caroline
The Kieft Flowerseed Guide 1997
Caroline adores Iceland Poppies or Papaver nudicaule. In 1997, her hand-selected open-pollinated seed featured in Kieft's worldwide flowerseed guide. The Dutch company introduced this poppy variant as Meadow Pastels. Later, Caroline added Meadow Brights and a glorious picotee named Flamenco.
Tobacco News Magazine
Caroline is relaxing in a magnificent crop of field-farmed Dimorphotheca, more commonly known as Namaqualand Daisies, indigenous to Southern Africa.
By 2000, Caroline's flower seed exports had taken over as the most important division of our farming enterprise. Future planning included phasing out tobacco as a crop and rapidly increasing our seed exports to international customers. It never happened.
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