Last weekend I organised the Annual Frolic for The Parson Woodforde Society, a jolly jaunt that including joining the congregation for a Harvest Thanksgiving service and lunch at the Weston pub that carries the Parson's name.
Standing there in Weston churchyard, giving Society members a 'guided tour' of who was who in Woodforde's day was a rather surreal experience. Since 1987 I have come to be a bit of an expert on, er, those buried in the ground in Norfolk!
Slightly more cheery is another consequence of my passion for family tree: meeting long lost or rather never-known cousins.
I was delighted that my Dad attended the Frolic with me this year so that he could meet another new cousin - Midge - and once again catch up with Linda, whom we met in April. Dad and I went to see the lovely Derek and were joined by Midge and Linda - as well as Derek's two daughters, granddaughter and great grandson!
I have no idea whether, given how distantly related we are, there is even any DNA that we share. What I do know is that these are wonderful people that I would never have met or known without Parson Woodforde and his Diary. And that is worth celebrating with a Frolic!
Stop press: another new cousin revealed - this one in France!
