Dramatis Personae

The Valentines

Jeremy is the Paterfamilias. He has writing privileges on this weblog, but doesn't use them.
Sylvia is Me. Who's writing this.
Kit is our firstborn son. 22nd August 1998, should you need to know. Bright, articulate, handsome, and, according to his Year Three teacher, 'eccentric'.
Beri is our secondborn son, 27th August 2002, ditto. Phlegmatic, focussed, 'why do anything if you can con your mother into thinking that you can't do it at all so she has to do it for you' sort of bloke.
Sid came third, last and was a fabulous surprise. 16th January 2004, four days before my 46th birthday. I know, I know.

The Valentines (seniors)

Ian is Jeremy's dad, a very capable DIY-er (which is where Jeremy gets it from), rings church bells and appreciates the Arts.
Jane, Jeremy's mother, is a keen gardener, and a doting (for doting, do not read indulgent!) involved grandmother. And, ditto the Arts.

Stephanie, Jeremy's older younger sister, is married to Paul, and mother of Lorna and Sam. They have a stranglehold on the Thames Sailing Barge business, and live on the Essex coast near Ian and Jane. Sam is extremely popular with his four younger male cousins, and allows them liberties which verge on GBH.

Fenella, Jeremy's younger younger sister, is married to Aurelio, and mother of Raul, Mia and Emilio. A keen gardener herself, she took gardening exams and everything, and knows people who will pay her to muck about in their gardens.

The Hornigs

Ma - Rosemary. My mother. Doh.

Julia - my sister. Owns and runs the most prestigious dressage shop in the whole world. Fabulous aunt. Married to Russell, who has a job in Liechtenstein.

Locals

Phillip, Elizabeth, Toby, William and Daisy Rutter. Toby and Kit are best friends, and William, Daisy, Beri and Sid make a convivial foursome.
Greg, Elaine, Jamie, Adam and Rose of the Big Stick Beedle, who are soon leaving the village to set up home here. Without the competition, Sid will be a shoo-in for Mary in the village nativity play, but it is quite a heavy price to pay.
Elaine Stacey, who, three times a week since Sid was born, came and played with the children while I got supper ready. We missed her sadly when she went off to university, but were very happy to welcome
Jessie, who reads books, builds railways, plays cards, lets her mobile be played with, and chases around in mad games of 'It', three times a week. What is it with these girls and university? She plans to be off as well, in September. Then what shall we do?

Godparents

Anna, on whose children Stefan and Catherine my children dote.
Marie - absentee godmother, again with doted-on children, who has been so busy with her PhD she has forgotten her friends, dammit.