Bees invade Princess Elizabeth Estate

On the evening of 4th August 1981, a block of flats at Princess Elizabeth Estate was invaded by a large swarm of bees.

This tale was told to me by Wendy Ng, who lived at the affected block at that time with her brothers and parents.
It was her brother Wilson, as reported in the Straits Times the following day, who called the Environment Ministry about the danger to the residents.

Strangely, they were informed that the Ministry would only send workers to eradicate the bee hive only the next morning !
I wonder if this is the normal operating procedure?  Wouldn't the danger of getting stung warrant an immediate response to this situation?
The report also mentioned that 2 residents were already stung by the bees. Just turn off the lights and shut your doors and windows, advised the Police.

Hmm, in today's age of social media, I wonder how the people would respond to this kind of advice.

I guess that's the price you pay when your estate is located beside the luscious natural greenery that is Bukit Gombak.

Blk 22 Princess Anne Hill where Wendy lived with her family.
Many residents also knew this as the 'Gonzales' block.
Mr Raphael Gonzales was the PAP MP for Serangoon Gardens in the 60s
and lived the ground floor unit on the left. Wendy lived on the 3rd floor above him.

A follow-up report in the Straits Times of 6 August 1981.

.

Luminaries from Princess Elizabeth Estate

Despite being a small village of about 200 households, Princess Elizabeth Estate and its primary school, P.E.E.S., had over the years produced a number of luminaries worth mentioning.

I have collected some of their photos, and hope that readers who have some or know of ex-PEE or PEES people who have made a name for themselves locally or internationally would help to contribute to this section. This page is by no means complete yet. 

* * * * * * * * *  *

Edmund Wee lived at the artisan quarters and studied at P.E.E.School.
Edmund is currently the Creative and Managing Director of Epigram Pte Ltd.

PEST INFESTED
The band boys from Princess Elizabeth Estate.
L-R: John Ali, Lim Thian Soon, Ernie Koh, Richard D'Silva, John Chan.

From Princess to Queen.
Princess girl Bridget Ong Mei Li was Miss Singapore/Universe in 1967.
* Please see comments below regarding Bridget/Lily Ong.

Mr Raphael Gonzales
PAP MP for Serangoon Gardens 1963.
Mr Gonzales lived at Blk 22 #130.

Kwan Peck Leng (left)
Graduated PEES in 1964.
Prominent childhood educator in Singapore
Was MD of Yamaha Music and currently at Crestar Education Group 

PEES girl Debbie Phua was a popular singer
who made a name for herself on the local and regional entertainment circuit.
Debbie lived at Blk 21 #124B

Tan Boon Huat
Lived at Blk 23
Graduated top in Senior Cambridge Exams
Prominent civil servant.
Was former Chief Exec Director of People Association.
Former Elections Returning Officer at Elections Dept.

Tan Jee Peng was my classmate 1962-1967.
Was always 1st in class and went to RGS after PEES.
She is an Advisor for the World Bank at the United Nations.
Her father owned the Jin Ho Bakery at Chun Tin Road, Beauty World.

Thomas See was the President's Scholar in 1978,
Thomas  See lived at Blk 20 #122B

"Papa Rock" - Ramli Sarip
Famous local rock star with the band Sweet Charity,
graduated from PEES in 1965.

This was Ramli Sarip when he was just starting out.
Ramli (standing) lived at Fuyong Estate and started his band
whilst at Jalan Teck Whye Secondary School

Rock guitarist Moliano Rasmadi
was with the band Lovehunters.
Graduated from PEES in 1972.

Sojuno lived at Blk 23 and was the keyboardist for the band Sweet Charity.

Asst Prof Lingaraj Krishna was in the last batch at PEES in 1986
(before PEES relocated to Bukit Batok)
Currently Consultant  and Assc Program Director at NUH.
His mother Mrs Krishna was a well loved teacher at PEES.

Sahorah Bte Ahmat was the Legislative Assembly member
elected to the Siglap constituency in 1961.
He was a housewife and political activist who lived at Blk 24.

Anyone has a photo of ex National Footballer, E Shanmugaratnam? He's an ex-PEE boy.

Related links: Photos from P.E.E.