ANNIVERSARY

4 May

Its come around again folks.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

TIM & MARIA

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Maria too

VISITING DAD'S GRAVE

On Saturday 15 March Abi, Joe and I met at the Rose & Crown pub at Calverleigh (tel: 01884 256301, EX16 8BA). We held the wake for father here. It was a wet miserable day, so it was nice to have a leisurely lunch sat in the cosy surroundings by the fire and chat over a few drinks.
Eventually we ventured forth. I had bought some rainwear from Mole Valley Farmers at Cullompton that morning and was glad of the protection. However my footwear got soaked in the long grass.
We planted the daffodils left by Linda. I retied the support strap lower on the rowan tree so that it can flex. If this isn't done the trunks grow weak and the tree will not grow strong and straight.
Joe took a photograph of Abi and I. I remarked that I had yet to see a photograph taken at the site where the subjects are not clad as if arriving at the summit of Mount Everest or the North Pole.
Returning the trowel and fork to the receptacle at the gate we said our farewells to Dad and to one another.

To find the buriel site from the pub:
Leave the car park and turn right. After a few minutes take the road leading off to the left. Climb the hill all the way to the top. At the top take the right fork and look for a 5 bar gate facing you on the left. This is the small car park.
Leave the car and walk through the other gate keeping right near the hedge, Dad is about 40 yards down on the left. Look for the Rowan tree. Each grave is marked with a discreet up-turned plaque.
Tools can be found near the entrance. Please remember that this is a green buriel site, so only leave bio-degradeable material.
Take fotos and post them here - especially if it is sunny!
Thank you.

NIC IN UK

I am in UK for a while. I have been staying with a good friend in London whilst I sort out some personal admin. Tomorrow I journey down to Devon. I am meeting Abi in the afternoon at our Father's grave. Thursday marked 2 years since his death (two days after his 75th birthday).
I shall stay at my Mother's home which is currently on the market following her recent admission to a nursing home.
I shall return to London after Easter and prepare to fly back to The Philippines.
If family or friends wish to chat they can call me on mobile telephone no.: 07958 400 122.

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WITH LESS THAN ONE HOUR TO MIDNIGHT HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES,

ITS TIME FOR ME TO WISH EVERYONE

A

VERY

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

GO TO

AUNT MARGARET

IN

PORTSMOUTH

TODAY

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SYDNEY CLOCK

In recognition of Pete in Australia I thought it high time we added a clock for the region.
Keep posting everybody. I am sure you have lots to say, and we want to hear it.
Nic

Joyce - Mum of Nic and Sally, Grandmother of Jonathan, Dorian and Karla

Hello all

Unfortunately Mum has had a stroke and was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on 9 October. She is still there waiting for a transfer to Budleigh Salterton Hospital for rehabilitation.

She suffered a significant episode which has resulted in quite a high level of disability. She can move all her limbs but has no strength. The most worrying aspect is her mental health. Mum was beginning to display signs of confusion before this happened but the stroke seems to have magnified this problem enormously. She is very distant and talks mainly in the past. She does recognise me and knows who I am. She requires assistance with feeding and can only manage liquidised foods. Because of the confusion the opinion is at the moment that a return home will be unlikely. However, we always remain optimistic and her home is waiting for her. This is probably everyones worst nightmare for themselves or someone they love. It is a very cruel way to spend the evening of your days and we have a different Mum and grandmother now to the one we had two weeks ago.

Will keep you posted.

On a happier note, Big G and I are really well and looking forward to some cosy winter evenings! Great news about Abi and Joe and we look forward to the wedding next year - (I am assuming we are invited!). Look forward to seeing you all before too long although as time races by it is looking increasingly unlikely in 2007 - where has it gone? Another year of big birthdays, births, engagements, mega moves to overseas adventures and other lovely things that hopefully will outweigh the negatives that I am sure we have all experienced this year.

Love you loads

Sally xxx

BRISTOL HALF MARATHON

SPONSOR JOE

CLICK HERE

The oldest living relation to John Frederick

First, thanks Ami for introducing me to the Houghton blog!

I was born in 1924 in London to Geoffry Ambrose Houghton, brother to Jack Houghton, dad to Adrian and Annette and Christopher and Jonathan - Abi's dad.

I have lived in Sydney Australia for the past 50 years. I lost my wife Pat 4 years ago to Leukemia, so now live alone, but not far from my Daughter Gerry (Geraldine), Grandson Nigel and great Grand children James, Joel and Sarah the latest edition and four weeks old!

No more for now, we all congratulate Ami on her forthcoming marriage and wish her a lifetime of happiness. One Glden Rule, never go to bed without making up, my dad taught me that and it works, he gave us two glasses on our Wedding Day to toast one another after an argument.

Hi to all the family, those I know and those I don't.

NIC IN THE PHILIPPINES

For those wishing to follow my progress in the Philippines, there is a link in this Blog's 'link' section.
Note the Blog is 'closed'. If you want an invitation to join, let me have your email address.
My Philippine mobile number is : +63 915 2628 186

A big thank you to everyone that helped me with my move.
I received practical help and morale encouragement from family and friends. When the task sometimes felt bigger than me, you should not underestimate your contributions made.
Thank you all.

Nic
x

Nic's last weekend

Click here to see the full album

provisional wedding date 16th August 2008

Joe and I have a provisional booking on 16/8/08 for our wedding! It will be at St Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol so please keep this date free. Will be sending out invitations once all is confirmed and we've organsied the reception etc....

Abi x

LADIES GET YOUR HATS OUT!!

I am pleased to announce that Joe proposed last night and I have said yes!!

No dates set yet, but watch this space! We are both very excited, and consumed a good deal of champagne last night to celebrate the occasion. He also completed the marathon in 1 hour and 49 minutes so all round, a very good sunday!!

Abi x

STOCKLEIGH MILL

THE WESTERN TIMES & GAZETTE

FRIDAY 1 MARCH, 1957

STOCKLEIGH MILL

"Chickens roost where the mill once ground"

The photograph shows Joyce Houghton and son Nicholas (2yrs 5m) in the doorway of the mill.

The farm was the birthplace of Sally Jeanne Houghton (26.9.56).

Joyce reported seeing ghosts in the farmhouse.

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.

HBP GATHERING CANCELLED

The HBP gathering for 21 July in Devon has been cancelled.
No attendances from Portsmouth were expected and the new mother and child in Bude would not be able to travel easily Jonathan is also away in Greece.
Nic suggested that the gathering might be rescheduled for September before his departure on 25th