A 'great' surprise for family (From Barry And District News)

A 'great' surprise for family

THE latest addition to a Barry family proved to be an extra special bundle of joy!

Three-week-old Connor Mason not only has a grandmother and a great-grandmother to spoil him - as a fifth generation baby, he also gets to meet his great-great-grandmother! Connor's mum, Louise Kenny, aged 21, was ecstatic when her first son was born.

And she was even more overwhelmed when she realised her baby was the fifth branch on the family tree.

Louise's great-grandmother Miriam Washburn, who is nearly 90, heads the clan, then there's Louise's gran Ellie Kingdon, aged 58, and her mum Jacquie Jones, who is 39 - then of course herself and now Connor.

"It's so unusual," said Louise, who lives in Robert Street. "I couldn't believe it when I realised.

"We are such a close family, and we're all really happy."

Louise said that her great-grandmother Miriam, who now suffers from Alzheimer's and is cared for in a nursing home, was a well-known pianist who entertained at popular nightspots in the town for many years.

l Do you have any memories of the talented Miriam Washburn (nee Gardiner)? Write to us at Barry and District News, 156 Holton Road, CF63 4TY, or email us at barrynews@gwent-wales.co.uk