I remember clearly my first day at school, Miss Laughlin, showed me two
desks, the first
and second in the row nearest the window. She told me that my two
brothers had sat in
those desks when they had been in her class, and asked me which one
I wanted to have. I
chose the second desk.(More about my education and career...).
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My husband, where we met, our children and anecdotes from our lives :
Talking about the old ryhmn about the different characters that children
have depending on which day they were born put me in mind of an uncharacteristic superstition,
about days of the week, which I succumbed to in the runup to the birth of my youngest daughter Una.
I love my sons dearly but when I became pregnant for a fifth time, it was only natural that I began
praying that the new arrival would be a little girl, I so wanted Angela to have a little sister. The
consultant I saw told me that, as it was so soon after the Martins birth (which was an emergency
caesarian) I would have to have another operation this time.
All proceeded normally, and I was eventually told to come to hospital on Wednesday 13th November
1973, in preparation for the operation on the Thursday morning. Now, all the boys had been born on a
Thursday (30/01/69, 03/09/70 and 09/11/72). Its funny how the mind works, I had never thought
of myself as superstitious, but I did not want this baby arriving on a Thursday. I was actually relieved
when I developed a chest infection and the op had to be postponed. I am sure that it is only a
coincidence that our precious little Una did not arrive till tuesday (19/11/73), the same day of
the week that her sister Angela had been born (03/01/1967)
Friends United Message Board For more about my family, see latest news below
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The Latest news, Births Marriages etc
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July and now August have been marked by a record breaking heatwave, the mercury passing the 100f
mark for the first time since records began. The weather may have contibuted to a fire which started in
the bitumen roof of Reading College, where my daughter Una is the marketing executive. It fell to her
to deal with the press after the incident and her comments are recorded in the local press. You can
read the article, including the comments of college spokeswoman Una Carr by clicking here.
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September has brought with it the of my daughter Angelas second child who she and her
husband Nick have named Caitlin Rose, (pic) very nice name I think. She was 8 Pounds 6 ounces with
dark brown hair and arrived mid-afternoon on the 11th Sept 2003.
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Myself and Frank were doubly blessed as the labour meant we had our first Grandchild Eilis to stay.
She is a real delight and is handling the disruption very calmly, considering that the birth has coincided
with the start of the new school year.
Otherwise, things here have been ticking over pretty quietly. We have had the decorator in for
the front room and also replaced the fire the with a living flame model, which looks so like the
real thing you can imagine having to stop yourself stoking it with odd bits of waste paper, as
you would with a real fire. In the wider world, the local team has lost its manager, Alan Pardew
in controversial circumstances, repeating a depressing pattern. For more click
Reading FC
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As part of her job, Una was interviewed by Maggie Philbin for the BBC, to
download a short excerpt click here. Its a big
download (1.5mB) so it might take bit of time, also you might not have the
player
that matches this sort of file, normally you are automatically offered
a free download if this is the case
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Winter and Christmas A happy time, Angela, Nick with Caitlin and Eilis, Brendan and Helene joined
us for Christmas Day. Eunan visited Christmas Morning after Mass and spent the rest of the day with
his new wife Sharon as they entertain her parents. We all thought of Una in faraway Thailand. She has
experienced Christmas both there and in Australia now. She had a good time and returned to us safe,
well and with a deep tan.
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Winter has flown,past the big event was Caitins christening on the 25th of Jan. We were really pleased
that her greatuncle Mgr John able and willing to administer the sacrament. The godparents were Steve
Crawley, Nicks brother and Sharon. Like her sister, Caitlin didn't complain at the water being poured on
her head. Another memorable moment, another memorable day.
Spring, Frank retired on the 26th March, 3 days before his 65th Birthday. He has an allotment now,
down by the river, which keeps him occupied, especially at this time of year. My youngest son Martin
has received a special financial award at work for some extra work he has done. Eunan and Sharon
along with Brendan and Helene are looking forward to their respective happy events in August.
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Brendan and Helenes marriage registration was followed by a pleasant lunch in Lock Fyne Restaurant.
Madame LeComte was very patient with my rusty French. We are all looking forward to the Wedding
in France next Summer. Four family weddings are scheduled to take place next summer,
a year as busy as I can remember.
I found this amazing story about a ship called the Fanad Head, which was the focus of extraordinary
events during the early part of the Second World War, (correctly referred to in Ireland as the Emergency)
LINK. I wonder if anyone reading this might have further insights. Please sign the guestbook if you do.
Finaly, I was saddened to hear of the recent passing of my cousin Brenda, our heartfelt sympathies go
out to her kin at this difficult time.
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Summer : It is now the October, much has happened since the last time I added anything to the
website. Frank travelled to Scotland to attend the funeral of his good friend, Dan Coll
(Heudi) R I P. Dan was a regular visitor to my parents’ house in Airdrie in the 50’s and 60’s. Also in
August, my brother John and I spent a very pleasant week in Fanad. The highlight of our holiday took
place on our first Saturday , when Bridin McDermott, her husband, Michael and her brother, Tony
Johnston visited us at the ‘Cosy Nook’. Although we have been in touch for some time, we had not seen
each other for 50 years, when our families had spent our summer holidays every year in Doaghbeg. We
had a lovely time reminiscing about those happy days so long ago. There are photographs recording their
visit in the Album. We met others whom we had not seen for some time.Itwas good to see Paddy
Gallagher (Campbell), whose family also spent yearly holidays in Doaghbeg.
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Just after we returned from Ireland the first addition to the family arrived . Emile James was born on 26th
August weighing in at 8lb 14oz. Helene and Brendan are very happy with their little son. Sharon and Eunan
had to wait another fortnight before Sophie Louise made her appearance. She was 10lb 6oz at birth and is
fast outgrowing her crib. Her parents are justly proud of their beautiful daughter. Her birthday is 10th
September, the day before her cousin Caitlin’s.
I’m glad to say Una passed her latest exams. She certainly deserves to
succeed, as she has worked very hard. She is now settled into her new apartment in Caversham
Heights and is busy choosing furniture and fittings.
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Weatherwise, it was a damp summer - one of the wettest on record. The local team, Reading, continue to
thrive despite the shock departure of their manager Alan Pardew last year. Having made the playoffs last
year, under Steve Copell, they are now at the top of the league, their highest position ever. Alan Pardews
team West Ham failed to gain a premiership place last year and now languish mid table. Shame
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November Time has flown by, as usual. The big news, since I last wrote, is that we have had our new
kitchen "made over". We now have much more cupboard space and work tops. The new double glazed
window is a big improvement. The floor and wall tiles have still to be be installed, it will look really good by
the time it is all finished. Martin has been away on a course and is due back tommorrow (Dec 2) I have
written more about my father and you can read the new extract here More about my Father his family
There was an article in many of the British Newspapers about peoples favourite word, Martin was
explaining some of them to his niece Eilis when they came to enthusiastic, Martin explained this
was a word to describe something you love and asked Eilis for an example of something she
loves, Eilis thought for a moment and settled on Caitlin, which I think is a lovely thing.
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Easter has come and gone and I have still to write something about Christmas.
We had a memorable day with all the family. Una made sure that everything went
smoothly by spending some time here a few weeks before the big day writing
lists and drawing table plans. Angela designed the invitations for me,and
the 'boys' came round the previous week and moved the furniture to make room
for the tables. The tree had been decorated beautifully by Martin, with Eilis's
crib nestling at the foot It was lovely to see everyone sitting enjoying their
meal. Altogether there were 10 adults and 2 children (Eilis and Helene's 14 year
old cousin) round the table. Caitlin was in the high chair and Sophie and
Emile were in their low chairs. We were delighted that Fr. John was able to come
down for the New Year. Unfortunately he was suffering from a very heavy
cold, which meant he was confined to the house for most of the time. We are now
looking forward to his coming to baptise Sophie at the end of the month.
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An important family event took place just over a month ago, on the
30th April to be exact. On this day Sophie was baptised at St.
John Bosco's Church in Woodley. Fr John administered the
sacrament, and Angela and Sharon's brother , Stephen, were the
Godparents. Sophie behaved impeccably throughout. The weather was
sunny, the food delicious and everyone enjoyed the day. Fr. John
had to fly back to Glasgow that evening. Everyone appreciates the
efforts he makes to be with us at these significant spiritual
events. I am looking forward to spending a week with him in Fanad
in August.
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The four grandchildren are all in good health . Eilis is in her
last term in Year 2 . She has become very tall recently and
reminds of Angela at the same age. She loves reading , drawing and
making up stories. Caitlin and she get on well. That young lady
has now found her feet, so she is into everything. She is also
beginning to make conversation, some of which makes sense! I was
over at Brendan and Helene's this morning. Emile is now pulling
himself onto his feet so it shouldn't be long before he begins to
walk. Sophie has progressed from rolling to crawling so she too is
pretty mobile and keeps Sharon on the alert. The two families
spent the Bank Holiday afternoon together down by the Thames.
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9th September 2005
As I was parcelling Sophie's and Caitlin's presents this evening, I
realised it has been some time since I wrote anything for the website.
There have been several family celebrations in the last few months, not
least our own Ruby Wedding on August 7th. The whole family
attended 9o'clock Mass, and later went out to lunch together. A
memorable day.
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We have attended 2 family weddings 1 in London , the other in Cork.
Frank's niece and Godchild, Lorraine Owens, and Gerard O'Regan
were married on the 13th August, and his nephew, Martin Carr and
Claire Paul became man and wife on the 3rd September, We
thoroughly enjoyed both events.
In the time between the weddings Fr. John and I managed to have a
short break in Fanad. Cosy Nook was as cosy as ever, The weather was
mixed but we were able to visit Inishowen and Gartan.It was good to
see family and friends, though because our time was so short we were
unable to visit everyone we would liked to have seen. We felt sad for
the family in Doaghbeg who are still coming to terms with the loss of
Willie who died so suddenly a short time before.
We are now making preparations for the trip to Rennes for the wedding
of our son Brendan and Helene, next week?!!!!!?
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Pope John Paul II

Pope Benedict
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November is just around the corner, so it's about time I gave some
account of the events of the summer. During the months of August and
September we attended 3 Weddings and a Baptism.
The 3rd wedding , that of our son Brendan to Helene Lecomte, took
place in Rennes, on the 17th September. Their son, Emile was baptised
the previous day at the same church, Ste. Therese de Lisieux. Fr. John
officiated at both occasions and so fluent was he in French that a native
Frenchman was overheard asking what part of France the priest came
from!!
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We really appreciate the efforts made by all Brendan's relations and
friends who attended the wedding, and hope that they all had an
enjoyable time. We enjoyed every minute and are looking forward to
returning to Rennes someday soon. So much happened that I will need
to return to this subject at a later date.
I keep forgetting to say a big thank you to all those kind people who
have sent messages to our guestbook. If you left an email we will try to
send a message back sometime. I'd especially like to contact the lady
who is a relation of John M'Fadyen and Lucy M'Manus But there
doesn't seem to be an email address given.
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March 2006
Thanks to Mark who has posted a message in the Guestbook. You must be one
of the Campbell clan. I can remember Ian, Kenneth and Gordon spending most
of their holidays building that house. It has stood the times well. I hope some of
the younger generations are reaping the benefit of their hard work.
I have added some more to the pages about my father and my mother, you can
see them here Dad and here Mama
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Eunan found this interesting map of Airdrie on a website called
Wikipedia.
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Chrismas 2005 was spent at Angelas which was lovely. Angela made a delicious meal and we all enjoyed opening our presents etc. Una and Martin were there, Eunan and Sharon came over in the morning and then went to Sharons mother and fathers, Rob and Barbara's, Brendan and Helene spent Christmas in France
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March 2006 In March, Emile came to stay with us for 2 days, Brendan and Helene went to Malta for a week (a belated honeymoon). Helenes friend, Melanie, looked after Emile during the week.
April 2006 Una was in a Progress Theatre Production, a comedy called "Hot Chicks.com". Here is their website : http://www.progresstheatre.co.uk/. The same month brought Kates wedding in London to Alan, a total gentleman. The ice sculpture was impressive. Even more so was the speech made by Kate's son Edward. A memorable family event.
May 2006 One of the most important events of the year took place in May, namely Eilis's 1st Holy Communion. In attendance, Grandad, Me, Big Grandma and Thumper (Nicks parents from Arran), Mum, Dad and Caitlin, Eilis's godfather Uncle Eunan, Aunt Sharon, cousin Sophie, Uncle Brendan and Aunt Helene and cousin Emile, Godmother Aunt Una, Uncle Steven and his wife, Uncle Richard and cousin Janie. Later in May Eilis performed in a play about the weather at Long Lane Primary.
Of the national events in Spring 2006, the major fire at the Buncefield oil depot affected us most closely. We all saw the cloud in the east that Sunday morning and as it spread discovered that it was indeed smoke drifting west from the site of the explosion. Miraculously there were no serious casualties.
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August 2007
I will write more about the past year and a half in due course but must mention my daughter Angelas graduation as Master of Arts. Her Thesis was on Worklife Balance.

Angelas Graduation
I have added some more to the pages about my schooldays, you can see them here School
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March 2008
I promise I will write more about the past year and a half in due course but must mention my sons recent entry and succesful completion fo the Reading Half marathon in a very respectable time of under 2 hours.

Eunan in the Marathon
Brendan has also completed his MA with Distinction about which I will also return to add mare later as time permits.
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Modern Technology My son Eunan has lately been experimenting with MSN Microsoft Messenger as a way of keeping in touch with impressive results. It is like a phone where you can call and speak to people but see them at the same time. Here is a picture of Caitlin and Eilis - my Daughter Angela's children - talking to Eunans Daughter Sophie.
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