Topsham Connection Grandpa

How interesting that Grandpa lived in Topsham in the early '60's I wonder where he lived... Retreat Road would be very spooky...
Another Photo for the collection ..Jonathan holding Phoebe last week

PS) Joe is still doing the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 9th September so not too late if anyone wants to sponser him, please click on the link Nic has put on the blog above, thanks xx

New Job!

Hello Everybody!

Glad to hear Julian had a fantastic birthday party you all look pretty 'happy' in the photos! Ha ha!! I'm amazed we all managed to keep it a secret to be honest, it wasn't easy not to let the cat out of the bag! Very sorry I couldn't attend, never one to miss a good party, but we were away in France. Had a great holiday, we stayed in Joe's parents cottage near La Rochelle in the country side, miles away from civilsation and drank lots of red wine and I ate double own body weight in croissant!! Weather was sunny for most of the time so lots of trips to the beach and BBQ's in the evening. We spent a very interesting night with Claude and Ya Ya (Joe's parents friends who speak NO English) when they kindly invited us for a 6 course meal at their house. We managed to converse in something like French for more than 5 hours, pretty amazing as neither Joe or I really speak very much French at all. Think the Bordeaux vin rouge assisted somewhat!!

Anyway, now back in Bristol and looking forward to starting a new job for the Royal British Legion as an Employment Adviser. Will start on 01/10/07 and means I will be working from home and driving out to people in their work places to try and assist them with things they need to stay in work if they have health problems or disabilities. Can't wait to start, maybe will get a dog if possible now I won't be in an office all day! Also. will need some company as Joe is off to the south coast on Sunday to start his teacher training! He will be back at weekends though, so hopefully we won't pine for eachother too much. Although I think we will!! Ah!!

Anyway, hope all is well with everybody and Sally, are you having another party this year? Nic, when are you leaving the country? Must see you before you go!!!

Big hugs to you all

Abi xxxx

F J HOUGHTON - Obituary

This is the newspaper obituary for Jonathan Frederick Houghton. Father to Adrian, Christopher, Jonathan and Annette.
He was born on 1 November 1894. He was commissioned into the Royal Leicestershire Regiment before WW1 and as a captain was severely wounded on the Somme in 1916. He lay unattended in no-man's land for three days.
He drove Lagondas at Brooklands between the wars and was a partner in a garage in Guildford.

Click to enlarge

In WW2 he was a Lieutenant in the RNVR until 1942 when he was seconded as an inspector of landing craft.
In 1947 he took a farm at Burrowcombe. His first wife died in 1954. Later he married May Gill and moved to Topsham before moving to Tiverton in 1963.

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JULIAN'S SURPRISE 40TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Well it certainly seemed to be a surprise to Julian when he was directed not to Clare's house, but to the Bude Band Hall last night. And aren't we all relieved that it is out in the open and we don't have to keep it secret anymore.
Well done to everyone that was involved in the organisation, but especially to Tania who was the leading light behind the whole thing.
Graham, Sally and Nic were delighted to be a part of the celebrations. It was good to see you all as ever and to meet the newest addition to the family.