Well I thought it was about time I took you all on a little journey or should I say insight to the new life of Family Rumbold Jnr down under.

Following a fabulous and memorable leaving party, Emily and I left the life we had become accustomed to on October 7th 2004 from Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 (thought that part was important for the more precise individual, John). Cases packed and bags packed and more bags packed and maybe even more packed, we had in total 76 kilos of case weight and 24 kilos of hand luggage; we were only a total of 50 kilos over our allowance which I thought was pretty good!!! Unfortunately, Malaysia Airways did not agree which meant rummaging through the luggage and moving bits and pieces about to establish a “more suitable weight”. Finally we walked through the evil departure gates after a tearful farewell and found little comfort and solace from the Bars and Chocolate shops. Our flight was destined for our new life down under via Kuala Lumpur and then onto Denpasar Bali before flying onto Melbourne Australia.

Emily and I did however feel it would be quite remiss and rude of us to fly via Bali and not spend a couple of nights, well 3 actually, sampling local cuisine, sea, sand and of course grog. We were adamant that we would not participate in any excursions and just relax. However, and there is always a however, we thought the opportunity to ride an Elephant would be far too great to miss.

We arrived at Melbourne airport on 12th October 2004 to a huge welcome from Emily’s parents and made our way to our new humble abode.

I initially started work within about two weeks for a Customer Service Company trying to sell life insurance to people who probably already had the most comprehensive cover hence I only lasted about 10 days before throwing in the towel. Adamant not to have a repeat of this I decided to go and work nights for Safeway, yes that’s right Sheila, Safeway, the food supermarket. I think I have now handled every possible variety of peas and the fun part came with the beans. I never realized how much fun stacking beans could be. What’s even more interesting is that after a while i.e. early morning, they actually talk back to you. I worked here for about 4 months and have finally just given up due to finding a new occupation. I now have a job which I am really enjoying, stacking beans with the little sausages in, promotion you see !!!! No really it’s for a company called Medibank Private who are government established and maintained dealing with public and private medical and hospital insurance. I started here about 5 weeks ago and had to endure a pretty intense training period of 4 weeks in the city. I have just recently been put to the slaughter and left to my own devices assessing and paying claims.

Anyway, taking a slight back track on 10 October 2004, Emily and I became parents. Almost brings a tear to my eye, boo hoo hoo. We introduced a puppy Boxer and have named her Padrum. Padrum you may well ask, what a funny name ???? PAD, Emily's maiden name Paddon and RUM, well do I really need to explain. Ok Ok for the slower ones, i.e. Sheila……… my surname is Rumbold and there you have it, clever hey!! She is Brindle and White and obviously takes after Mummy and Daddy by being a pedigree and beautiful.

Then came the wedding. Friday January 14th, saw all friends, family, guests and obviously Emily and I head off on a coach for a slight road trip. It took approximately 3 and a half hours to get from Seaford to Echuca and I can assure you there was plenty of ‘I’m getting married in the morning’ and ‘The wheels on the bus go round and round’. Upon arriving in Echuca we all checked in to our rooms and then hit the town for food and of course drink. Sensible Simon of course was adamant not to get goggle eyed. Wanting to make the most of his special day eventually got a little carried away and 8 beers and 4 Sambucas later was slightly worse for wear and ready for bed.

Next day Saturday 15th January was of course the BIG day. Having woken up better than expected was still relieved to know the ceremony wasn’t until 6 o'clock. Had great morning swimming in the pool and then onto decorate the wharf. All of a sudden…………….. it was here, we were all boarding the coach well except Emily, her dad and the bridesmaids who travelled a little more in style by means of horse and carriage. The ceremony, day, evening and cruise was an absolute dream come true. Emily was simply stunning and I couldn’t have felt more special and lucky in a million years. What can I say I am so lucky to have met such a wonderful person and to now be living a magnificent life. The wedding night was ………………. On that note, I must say I hope you have liked my little expedition and I will finish our journey at a later date.

Take care and love to you all.

Family Rumbold Jnr
Simon, Emily and Padrum.

PS. Have just put in an offer on a property, watch this space!!!!!!!!!!!

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NEWS FROM OUR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Hi everyone, hope you are all well?! Yvonne has asked me to tell you all about my university course so here goes…

I am at Plymouth University in my second year studying Sociology. Sociology is really interesting especially the discriminatory aspects within crime and the workplace. I particularly enjoy the debates in my seminars, as they can get rather lively!

But now on to the important parts of university life, hehe, nightlife is extremely good in Plymouth with lots of student events and nights. However probably the best thing about Plymouth is the sea and the Hoe. When the sun is shining its great just to take a stroll to the Hoe to do some valuable reading before the next lecture.

Anyway better get back to the books now. Can’t wait to see you all again when I return next summer.

Laura Fritchley

Well I’m not really too sure where to start actually, I’ve moved away from home, met loads of new friends and have begun the best course on offer at university in my opinion. In saying it’s the best course it involves caring for pregnant ladies, delivering and caring for babies, and of course the new mummies. From what I have experienced so far, which seems so little in comparison to what I have to learn, I can see I am a small way through the beginning of a life long learning journey, in which I will experience new, exciting (sometimes stressful!!!) things everyday.

So far I’ve done lots of theory hours in the classroom relentlessly trying to soak up all of the medical terms and their meanings, this is far more difficult than I envisaged and have found out I have a sieve brain! I have also been out with the community midwife on a six-week stint. This was brilliant as you get to care for a wide spectrum of ladies from the ones who have just found out they are pregnant to ladies with 10 day old babies.

I am starting on delivery suite on April 4th for another six weeks. Here I will see babies being born, caesarean sections being performed and have been told that we are expected to be delivering babies within two weeks, under supervision of course, but still a very scary and exciting thought.

Well that’s where I’m up to so far, doesn’t feel like I’ve been in Leicester five minutes but I’ve only got just under two and a half years to go, which sounds a long time but if this years anything to go by, it will fly by. So if any of you are planning any more babies in the near future just put them on hold for a while and I’ll deliver them when I qualify!!!

I hope everyone is well and still singing beautifully!

Susannah Arnold

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2005 SWINDON MUSIC FESTIVAL

This year’s Swindon Music Festival was held from 10 - 19 March at its usual venue, The Swindon Arts Centre. The Festival offers some 150 classes for juniors and seniors ranging from strings, woodwind, guitars, piano and voice including choirs. Also included in the 10 days of competition are the Junior Vocal Championship, Senior Vocal Championship, the Instrumental Final and the Supreme Championship. Kentwood had a very successful year picking up 12 first places and they are:

Novice - age 13,14,15 and 16
(Festival Medal)       
Harriet Blackler
   
Modern Pop Song
(The Gary Beint Trophy)       
Becci Benson
   
Songs from Shows & Films - age 26 and over
(The George Snook Trophy)   
Jill McCrae
   
Girls’ Solo - age 12 and 13
(The Doris Parsons Trophy)   
Jenna Molloy
   
Girls’ Folk Song – age 14,15 and 16
(The Sarah Jefferies Trophy)
Rebecca Grout
   
Songs from Shows & Films - age 15 and 16
(The Kentwood Trophy)
Stephen Lockhart
   
Light Opera - age 13,14,15 and 16
(The Reg Carter Memorial Trophy)
Abigail Bean
   
Duet: Songs from Shows & Films
(The Pauline Grant Memorial Trophy)
Sharon Lloyd and Terri Rhind
   
Songs from Shows & Films - age under 8
(The Sheila Marcer Trophy)
Alice Dixon
   
Gilbert & Sullivan - age 13,14,15 and 16
(The Nora Gill Memorial Trophy)
Harriet Blacker
   
Songs from Shows & Films age 17 to under 26
(The Vera Bennett Trophy)
Becci Benson
   
Soprano Solo
(The Cynthia Webb Challenge Trophy)
Carly Blue Pethick

Congratulations to you all and special thanks to Sheila for all her hard work.
Yvonne Walker
Secretary, Swindon Festival Committee

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Editor:    Mrs Yvonne Walker, 23 Bourton Avenue, Stratton St Margaret,
        Swindon SN3 4LY.
        Telephone: (01793)823849
        e-mail: walker365@ntlworld.com