The boys are back in town!
L to R : Ken, Steven, John, Mick and me

Although my mother briefly returned to Leicestershire after my father’s death, she eventually settled in the Bournemouth area and I lost touch with the Leicestershire branch of the family. Like most young men, I went off to do my own thing and frankly didn’t give the matter much thought.

When my wife, Margaret, became interested in researching her family tree I also got bitten by the bug and decided to research mine. I frankly knew very little about them at all, and certainly nothing beyond a very brief knowledge of my grandparents. I began in the proper way, working my way back methodically through the GRO indexes, collecting certificates as I went and into the census returns.

Then I joined the Leicestershire and Rutland FHS, posting my interests. I was contacted by my cousin Eileen – who unknown to me had also been researching the family for many years.Since then, Eileen and I have become great friends and I was delighted when in 2001 she organised a reunion at the Arms in Dunton Bassett so we could all meet up again. This was particulary apt as the pub was once run and owned by the Greenwell family to whom we are related.

Margaret and I went up for the weekend and spent the time with Eileen and her husband Keith who took lots of time to take us around and introduce us to other members of the family and show us the sights. I was very touched by the welcome.

On the evening of the reunion, my cousin Jeanne presented me with a sheaf of photographs of the family, many of which appear on this site. I had practically no photographs at all prior to that. We had a really good time, and the prodigal son was really made to feel welcome.

Thank you all !

Me with my favourite aunt, Betty