FAMILY REUNION AT CLARKVILLE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27874, 24 January 1956, Page 16

FAMILY REUNION AT CLARKVILLE

SOMERSET FARM’S CENTENNIAL

600 DESCENDANTS PRESENT A farm roller, brought from England 100 years ago, is still in use at Somerset Farm, Clarkville, where some 600 descendants of Lancelot Giles gathered at the week-end for centennial celebrations. Mr Giles, his wife and eight children sailed from England towards the end of 1855 and on their arrival in New Zealand settled at Clarkville. The original 60-acre property is at present occupied by a grandson, Mr Victor Giles. Proceedings opened with a luncheon and a family reunion, where many relatives met for the first time. Mrs Leigh Ashworth, aged 90, a grandchild of Lancelot Giles, was the oldest relative to address the gathering. She flew from Wanganui to be present. The youngest present was a member of the seventh generation— Vicky Haddock, aged 10 months. An outline was given of the history of the family from the time it arrived in New Zealand and its association with Somerset Farm up to the present. The timber from the original cottage has just been used to build a hay barn. The longest married couple present was Mr Jack Sutton and Mrs Sutton (44 years) and the shortest married couple was Mr S. Dydr and Mrs Dyer (eight weeks). A children’s sports meeting was held and a social in the Clarkville hall, attended by about 350 relations. On Sunday a thanksgiving service was conducted on the farm. Mr Ken Giles, of Blenheim, offered the prayers and read the lesson. Mr W. Dailey, chairman of the Oxford County Council, in his address, emphasised the unity of th© family over the years.