The real magic of Family History

Dad 1931 - 2001 - who inspired my love of family History research

I just got this today from someone we were related to in Australia. I have removed the surnames to protect the innocent! I share it not to boast, but to illustrate how family history is not just about linking together dead people.

" Words are not enough to thank you for making your family tree public. Through your work I have been able to unite my 80 years old father with a full sister (81 years old) that he has never met.

Florence, (daughter of William & Rosina), was my grandmother's (Vera) half sister. Vera's parents were Rosina & her second husband Arthur. My aunt was sent to Florence and her husband John for adoption when she was 3 years old. Family circumstances were such that I did not know who had adopted my aunt and I did not know her surname after adoption. I never knew any of my fathers family. My father & aunt are the last 2 of 8 children left.

Your trail of marriages for Florence assisted me greatly. In fact Florence married yet again after John died. You have helped to make two elderly people very very happy in their twilight years. Thank you again."

Government response to petition re Red Arrows.

Thursday 18 September 2008
RedArrows2012 -epetition response

We received a petition asking:

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow the Red Arrows to Fly at the 2012 Olympics.”

Details of Petition:

“The Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the RAF Red Arrows as Unsuitable for the 2012 Olympics because they are too British. This is a ridiculous decision and should be overturned in the name of common sense.”

Read the Government’s response:

We’re glad to tell you there is absolutely no truth - and never has been - in the idea that the Government has banned the Red Arrows from the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Prime Minister was delighted to see the role the Red Arrows played in the celebrations on the Mall after the Beijing Games, and they have always played a significant part in great festivals of celebration in Britain in recent years. Indeed, the Red Arrows played a memorable role when they flew over Trafalgar Square in 2005 to mark London winning the Games.

Decisions on the nature of the Olympic opening ceremony are a matter for the 2012 organising committee, and with four years to go, they have not made their decisions yet. However, the Prime Minister has made clear he would be delighted to see the Red Arrows perform in the celebrations in 2012.

We asked Tessa Jowell, the Olympics Minister, to pass on her comments as well: She said:

“I am delighted that so many people have shown how important the Red Arrows are to them by signing this petition. To their millions of fans, the Red Arrows demonstrate all the best elements of being British of which we are so rightly proud. As we have made clear on many occasions, it is just not true that the Government has in some way banned the Red Arrows from being involved in 2012. Nothing, in fact, could be further from the truth.

The Red Arrows flew over London the day we won the Games in 2005 - and they took to the skies again in August, on another special day for London 2012, as we marked the end of the Beijing Olympics and the start of the run-up to our Games. I know Gordon was as delighted as I was that the Red Arrows were able to play such a prominent role, a fitting end to an Olympics that had been such a triumph for Great Britain. While it is up to the 2012 Organising Committee to decide what form the ceremonies in 2012 should take and who should participate, I am very clear in my own mind that the Red Arrows should be part of London’s welcome to the world in four years time. And I know Seb Coe shares my view.”

Burglaries

Overnight from 16/09/08 to 17/09/08 there have been two reported dwelling burglaries on Empress Ward.

One burglary was in Abbey Way and the other was in St. Michaels Road.

It is believed that these burglaries may be linked to several others that have occurred on Wards surrounding Empress over the last couple of weeks..

It is thought that the burglaries have occurred due to residents leaving windows or doors open to the rear of their properties.

Please would you inform all your residents, to routinely secure all doors and windows prior to going to bed or when leaving the house.

In addition, if you do not have PASSIVE INFRA RED lighting to the rear of your property it may be a good investment to do so, as this lighting is fairly cheap and will come on when intruders walk within the area of the sensor.

Mexican Night in Empress

... just got in from a fantastic evening of good food, drink and music. A big thank you to the three seniorettas of Empress who organised it, Debbie, barbara and Sue. And a big thank you to big bad gringo Alan our mean DJ. Blackmail pictures to follow ......

... desperate to fly!

.. I want a refund on the summer weather. I blame Gordon Brown.

I have spent the weekend at the beautiful Olivia's fifth birthday party in Maidstone, and working far too long on the new Motor Sport Association's website for work, which needed to be completed this weekend. Just did it in time. A big thank you to Chis for burning the midnight oil with me sorting out the clever bits. You can see the masterpiece at www.linkupltd.com/msa

.. maybe I will get to fly next weekend!