A Family Tradition

Hi readers, it’s Emily and Kerry here, hoping you’re all well. This week I, Emily will share with you our very special family tradition, that’s been going for over 30 years.

It was started by my Grampy, after our dear Great Granddad Jack passed away. Great Granddad Jack and Great Grandma Agnes had 5 children, who gave Jack and Agnes 11 grandchildren. Before long, they also had a lovely bunch of great-grandchildren, now scattered all over the country.

Every year, we would meet at Great Granddad Jack’s grave in Putney Vale Cemetery. After paying our respects, we’d head over to beautiful Richmond Park for a big family picnic. Traditionally, it was always the Sunday after Wimbledon finished, although this year we met a little later, in September.

Back then, there were so many of us. As children then, we’d run around playing cricket and rounders, before tucking into piles of yummy food while catching up on everything happening in each other’s lives. Of course, with us living in England, sometimes it rained, so we’d simply head to a friendly local pub and carry on having fun together.

When Grampy died, the tradition stopped for a little while, but we found ourselves missing it loads. So, a few years ago, we started it up again. While our numbers are smaller these days, the joy is just as big. There’s still plenty of yummy food, lots of laughter and always plenty of stories to swap.

I feel so lucky and loved to be part of this big extended family who still make the effort to keep in touch and spend time together. Life changes and families change, but some traditions are worth holding onto. I really hope this one never dies. See you next week!

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff