My family
I have an enduring interest in family history and have the advantage of having had a Father who was also into geneology. He did a great deal of research into our family history primarily on my mothers side. In the course of that work he identified the family line back to the Norse God, Woden - simply because the pagen Saxon Kings derived their authority from that lineage. On a more tangible level, he also demonstrated a direct lineage between our family and that of St Margaret, Queen of Scotland as a result of which not only was I named 'Margaret (yes, that is my proper name!) but I was baptised in St Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh Castle. However, any saintly or regal attributes that might attach to such lineage are not evident in my life! I am still waiting for the crown of Scotland to be offered to me :-) Meanwhile i have continued the family history research, digging into not only my father's side of the family, but my husbands and my brother-in-laws. As part of this work I am also cataloguing all the family photos that I have acquired over the years. One day that will be made available so something to look forward to. visit our complete family tree at the Tribal Pages website
My husband, Howard, 'retired' in October 2005. He had worked in the same company for over thirty years but felt it was time to move on. He took time to do some extensive D.I.Y. involving installing a sauna and new shower room as well as carrying out some major garden projects. He then came out of retirement for a while, working for a small local company until the economic down-turn took it's toll. Meanwhile the D.I.Y. projects continue with completely re-fencing the two main garden boundaries and building a new log canbin (see the Eclectic Gallery). Other projects on the horizon include the front garden make-over which has yet to be defined yet alone carried out - watch this space.
Our son, Dan, suffers from a stress related mental health problem. However, he is very creative around music, using computers and synthesiers to produce all sorts of modern beats. He also works with others who contribute rap and vocals to his beats.
Kathryn, our daughter, married her long-time soul mate, Mat Connolley, on 26th June 1999. The whole event was a wonderful celebration of their own happiness. Their website will show you not only more of their wedding but also about their recent travels across the world. They are now back in the UK and living in Cornwall. Click here to see Mat and Kat's site.
My elder sister, Janet, has suffered both breast cancer as well as non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and has now been diagnosed with skin cancer. She has endured difficult and painful treatments but has embraced the challenges without faltering - an inspiration to us all. For more details on all types of cancer, and how to support research that will lead to more effective treatments, click here. Janet is married to Derek who, into his 70's, still manages a farm single handed. They have two children, now both grown and married and who, between them, have provided me with four Great Nephews and two Great Neices - very aging!
My brother, Richard, celebrated his 60th Birthday in January 2007. For once I am quite pleased to be the 'baby' of the family! He is married to Liz and they have two children, Tom and Eleanor, both now well into their teens. A pictorial account of Dicks' life, compiled as part of his 60th Birthday celebrations, is now posted on the Gallery in the Family Collection.
John Close was Mat's uncle. He was diagnosed as suffering from Motor Neuron Disease and, as his condition deteriorated, decided to seek an assisted suicide with the help of Dignitas in Switzerland. Mats' mother, John's sister Lesley, with her partner Michael, his other sister, Margaret and a close friend, Peggy, were with him at his death on May 26th 2003. Lesley has gone on to take every opportunity available to highlight the need for a review of the archaic UK laws governing assisted suicide. More information can be found at the Voluntary Euthanasia Societies web site. Click here to see the BBC Video Nation contribution from John and Lesley, made before his death and capturing both his indomitable spirit and the hopelessness of his condition. John was a musician and you may like to listen to some of his music here.
