Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

A chance encounter on an English talk show led Moneague, St. Ann-born Stephanie Palmer into an unlikely marriage with a man ranked the number one Elvis impersonator in the United Kingdom.

However, on Tuesday, 27-year-old Stephanie spoke for the first time of the unfortunate fight she and her husband Mark Goddard, 41, are having with the British High Commission for her settlement visa. This despite her having been studying nursing there for the past five years and having lived with him for 18 months.

Ever since their marriage in Ocho Rios in February, the two have been frustrated by the process with officials who they say will not meet with them in person since their appeal was refused on June 21, a week after they first applied. They must wait until November 21 for further contact from the High Commission when they will be told of their next appeal date.

Devastating experience

"When I was told I was refused I just don't know how I crossed that road. It's devastating, there is no other way of describing it and the fact that there is nobody to speak to just makes it far worse than you can imagine," said Stephanie, her accent shifting with emotion from English to Jamaican.

Meanwhile three visits from Mr. Goddard since the wedding have had to suffice, a frustrating experience he reasoned given that the first year of a couple's life should be the happiest. This added to missed gigs and solicitor's bills being a financial burden, he said.

He contests the High Commission's refusal on the grounds that he did not have the means or accommodation to support his wife. He said that he owns his house in a village near Norwich and earns sufficient income.

Contacted by The Gleaner, High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell admitted sympathy for applicants given the volume of cases being processed but said that he could not break with policy by discussing individual cases. "Of course it's important that each one is looked at fairly on its merit and care is important - that's clear," said Mr. Creswell.

Some 374 Jamaicans emigrated to the U.K. last year, a figure that has fluctuated in recent years, up slightly from 334 in 1994.