"Our ruby Anniversary has just passed. We've had a turbulent life but we are still together. Mind you, it was Jackie who made sure this is so.
I came to Wales an Englishman and an engineer, part of the Clywedog team. I met this lively Welsh girl who taught me love and laughter and embraced me with her warmth. We married while it snowed in April and two years later to the day as planned, Kirstin Rowena gave us joy while the construction man in me built Llys y Fran dam in the Preseli's. Two and five years later, Cerianne and Alyson filled our home before I moved onto the Brenig Dam on the Denbigh Moors. We lived, and the children schooled in Cerrigydrudion.
On the way to Porthcawl, David was born. South Wales became our home while I spend five years yo-yoing to Sri Lanka, Dubai and Nigeria. Back to Wales, Llandudno, school for the kids and the Conwy Tunnel for me; Scotland; London then Cardiff and the Bay Barrage, while college and Uni entertained the girls. Jackie and the children lived in the wake of my obsession with construction.
Jackie ensured that the family spirit was maintained despite the tensions of an often absent father and three marriages and seven births later, we are surrounded by our offspring.
I have retired now and can finally spend time with my family. Watching Cerianne with four children, I comprehend the trials that Jackie had.
The fact that we all still want to talk to each other is a tribute to her efforts.
40 years and we are content."
