Second Cousins

Up to Codsell for a big family party to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday.  Simon and Francesca Jones organised a wonderful meal at the busy coffee shop they own and most of Dad's relatives, who were able, many of whom he hasn't seen for years were there.

I picked this photo as I know that it illustrates one of Dad's hopes for the weekend.  That the family and especially the youngsters get to know each other so that they can always be in touch.

There were toasts, speeches - all the usual and my sisters and I took our turn.  We played a recording of a ditty about ' Jim' from his mother in law at his wedding 54 years ago and then we responded in kind  (below).


This fellow called Jim is our Dad
To tell of his story we’re glad
In the rhyming tradition
Like Pam Ayres, our ambition
From groom all the way to Grandad

Dad’s parents were Alice and Joe
And brother to Margaret you know
Proud Oldhamers all
And he had them in thrall
When his rugby proficiency shew
 
After wooing and marrying Mum
A job in Nigeria  - how come?
But they had to come back
And get back on track
When discovered in the oven, a bun
 
There followed with remarkable speed
Three daughters, in quite a stampede
So outnumbered was he
He gave up rugby
For the seclusion of golf he did need
 
As a top Civil Servant, ambitious
Fair trading standards, auspicious
But changing imperial to metric
Made the English apoplectic
And the Government proved too capricious
 
When retirement arrived he embraced it
A wonderful Grandad, and quite a hit
By now grandchildren - seven
Plus some boys at last  - heaven!
And precious time able to commit
 
And now having reached old age.... eighty
His role as a carer more weighty
But he still has his daughters
To ease troubled waters
And help proceed the next decade sedately
 
All together on your birthday in May
Your relo’s in Codsall today
Humble ancestors in common
With much love to pass on
To wish you a BIG Happy Birthday