Catching up: Two hatched, four matched, two dispatched and ..

• Mum / Granny died 24 April 2015, buried 2 May in Sedlescombe church graveyard

• Lizzie and Richard Broom got married at Gorwell Farm 18 June 2016

Lizzie, Richard and the Keelings Trevor Simon Jim George Grandpa David Rob Paul
Jim

• Alice had her third child Art on 23 March  2017, following Jude and Viv

• Kate Keeling and Will Crompton married 17 June 2017

Kate and Will leave Battle church. The reception was at Jacobs

• Trevor and Louise married 22 July 2017 in Picena, Spain

Marriage on a mountain top

More photos here on Google drive & More here

• Dad / Grandpa died 28 July 17, buried 18 August with Granny

Extended family at the wake at Jacobs Farm

Dad was unable to attend Trevor and Louise's distant wedding and he was taken ill on the day after it. He died five days later attended by many relatives. In a parting letter he had written, "It has been a great joy to Mum and me to have had eight sons. I hope you will all remain good friends and look after each other as well." He joined Mum in the grave. Here is the new gravestone (c. June 2018)

New gravestone c. June 2018

Ruth gave a splendid eulogy. Read it here.

• Cricket match vs Sedlescombe 20 August 2017. Keelings lost

<Awaiting photo and score from Captain Harry>

• Archie and Lucy Oury married 16 September 2017

More photos on Facebook here.

• Trevor and Louise in Beijing then Hong Kong

Trevor and Louise in Beijing. Inset: Their yard.

In October Trevor and Louise moved to Beijing because Louise had a drama teaching job. Trevor wrote: "They have go boards in the courtyards of our flats. They also have two television channels devoted to go. Dad, by the way you'd love Beijing, people smoke in restaurants." 

In the New Year they will move to Hong Kong where more work awaits Louise and Trevor has a four month contract.

• Stanley Phoenix born to Lizzie and Rich Nov 2017

Stanley

Cricket match 2016 - reports

Radio 4 interview

This interview contains Paul's shipping forecast style recital of the team names.

The Radio 5 Live interview (slightly truncated). Click on the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p046d0wm?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_sport&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=

Times 31.08.16, page 16

The national's go mad!! Telegraph, Daily Mail (covered the Tory bases with those two)

The Torygraph, page 7, 30th August 2016:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/29/cricketing-history-made-as-single-family-makes-up-entire-team/

AND check out the Heil on-line:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3764684/Now-s-family-rounders-one-teamsheet-cricketing-brothers-seven-sons.html

Comments
Paul - could you please contact me re your (now world!) famous match v Sedelscombe over the weekend
Many thanks - Neil Bell BBC SETV - 07740818353
if you have any video footage of the match we would love to feature it on BBC SE tonight

Posted by: Neil Bell | August 30, 2016 at 01:29 PM

The Result: Sedlescome v's The Keeling XI

Sedlescombe's innings: 147 all out

Our innings: 148 for 3, therefore Keelings won.

Keep an eye out for Tuesday's Torygraph - they might be carrying a feature?!?!

Cricket match 2016 - Run up

Aug 26 - Paul still 26

Aug 25 - "The 5th Estate is on the money with the facts, as usual!"

Comments
Hello what time does the match start pls
Posted by: Paul Grover | August 27, 2016 at 06:43 PM

blimey :)
Posted by: dvaid | August 26, 2016 at 11:50 AM

a friend spotted a similar story in the London metro! (Not sure how to post the picture..)
Posted by: Kate | August 26, 2016 at 10:35 AM

Paul, aged 22 !!

Posted by: Trevor Keeling | August 25, 2016 at 09:57 PM

Three Peak 24 hour Challenge

We have completed our Three Peak 24 hour Challenge and smashed it! We started at 0700 on Tuesday and were up and down Ben Nevis (1344m) in three hours fifty minutes. Then Scafell Pike (978m) in a similar time and finally Snowdon (1085m) in four hours. We started Snowdon at 0100 this morning and completed the whole Challenge in 22 hours. We had a guide for each mountain and Arthur accompanied us as team photographer. All home now weary and sore but very grateful for the huge encouragement and support we received from so many different people. This has included very generous contributions from far and wide to the Young Minds charity, amounting to £2,591. Thank you. Also many thanks to Mum and Dad for driving 1,320 miles on the round trip. Love Imo and Flora.

Comments

Amazing! I can't imagine doing it!

Posted by: dvaid | August 04, 2016 at 04:07 PM

Bravo cuz's! Amazing effort! Archie

Posted by: Archie | August 04, 2016 at 10:15 AM

Great work and great charity. Well done. Jacquie and Trev xx

Posted by: Trevorkeeling | August 04, 2016 at 10:11 AM

well done, girls - congratulations - your support team sound pretty good too! Van x

Posted by: van keeling | August 04, 2016 at 08:37 AM

More patience

I started playing the games of patience which Grandpa wrote about in 2008. I asked him to tell me what proportion of games he won. He replied that he had already done that for Jim and he would give me a copy of the report.  Click here to see it. The typeface is a bit small.

In summary he won 33% of the 100 games. 26% of Aunty Allis, 29% of Seven and Six, 42% of Senior Wrangler, 55% of Uncle Remus and 11% of Kings.

If you can beat Grandpa, you are doing very very well.

Click here if you want to see the full rules of each game.

Jacob's Farm Country Club, nearly ready to re-open

A brief history of Close Brothers

The story of Close Brothers (“CB”) as far as Dad was concerned began with Ken Woodward-Fisher ...
Close Brothers

Comments
Dad wrote to me that the original name of the company was Safeguard, (formed by our Grandfather in 1952 the year that I was born), and it was changed to Close brothers that Dad then became chairman of. [From David's story it looks like Safeguard was an investor in Close Brothers]
Rob by email  Jan 3 2018

From Wikipedia:
'Management and leveraged buy-outs became phenomena of the 1980s. MBOs originated in US and traversed the Atlantic, spreading first to the U.K. and then throughout Europe. The venture capital industry has played a crucial role in the development of buy-outs in Europe, especially in smaller deals in the U.K., the Netherlands, and France.'
How near was Dad, in 1976, to being the originator of such moves?
Posted by: Paul K | June 01, 2016 at 02:03 PM

How interesting to read the inside the story of the bank's origin.
Posted by: Tom | June 01, 2016 at 09:54 AM

Edward returns

I have just arrived back from my ski season and obviously did nothing silly throughout the whole 5 months so here is a video of me doing something silly...

sorry about the poor quality and the video becomes exciting from about 0.57 second in
Edward x

Comments

sorry, very vague of me. I am the one who goes bigger and crashes in yellow salopettes, and a friend of mine does the mislanded backflip

Posted by: Edward Keeling | May 03, 2016 at 06:25 PM

Well done Edward, but which was you, the first or the second? after 0:57. David

Posted by: david keeling | April 21, 2016 at 02:00 PM

Permanent Memorial

Mum has taken delivery of her headstone; some of you will have had the chance to visit, but thought the rest might like to see it.  The sun was directly behind it, but I think this works well enough to give you the idea.  For what it's worth I think Dad has done very well.  Happy New Year all of you. xxP&V

Comments
Hi Keeling family, sorry this was the only way I seemed to be able to find you. My mother in law who recently passed left a whole collection of letters and correspondence. Amoung the collection is an invite from Mrs Arthur Gibbs to the wedding of Jenifer Barbara to Michael Keeling on Friday April 20th 1951 at St James Spanish Place together with the order of service. Is this your Michael & Jenifer, I would love for someone to have these items.
Posted by: Kate Meager | June 30, 2016 at 01:20 PM

A very smart headstone. Excellent that it has been put into place a couple of months earlier than forecast. xx Tom
Posted by: Tom | January 01, 2016 at 02:00 PM

a great improvement on the wooden cross!

Posted by: george | January 01, 2016 at 12:11 PM

Temporary Memorial

I stayed with Grandpa last weekend and visited Granny's grave. It was almost impossible to see where it was and somebody (no names mentioned) had dug in a bottle of Chablis about where her left shoulder would be. It contained two dead chrysanthemums. I tidied it up and reported to Buddha who instructed that a temporary memorial should be erected. The proper one may not go in until March.

Comments
Went to see granny + grave with tom and co today. Her cross looks great (as a temporary solution), excellent work George.
Posted by: Archie | November 08, 2015 at 12:16 AM

I forgot to mention that it says "Jenny Keeling 1927-2015" on the cross.
Posted by: george | October 28, 2015 at 11:21 AM

Thank you for the update and the picture. I am glad that we will not need to feel unsure of where Mum's grave is now. Is there something written on the cross that you have put at Mum's head? It looked as though there is some red writing on it. Tom

Posted by: Tom the older | October 28, 2015 at 11:05 AM

Graves

I visited Mum's grave a few times while staying at Jacobs 18-25 July. It is still a body sized mound covered in turf as it was immediately after the funeral on May 2. Bouquets from the funeral are still at both ends looking rather like tangled hair. On my second visit I tried to plant some flowers from the garden on the mound. Martin gave me some instructions which included dead heading. They are also rather hairy looking ones with a few small pink flowers. They come from the circular flowerbed between the house and the dell. A gravestone will soon be added but that has to wait until the grave has settled or it will fall over.

While I was there I also updated the graveyard map.

(Sir) John Henry Keeling & Dorothy May Keeling
Walk down the path on the left of the church, continue straight on after it turns right over some grass and continue between some very old graves. The gravestone is just after the next path you come to. The gravestone is lying down and could do with a scraping. Modestly, the knighthood is not mentioned on the grave.

Mum and Dad *
From there you would turn left and walk straight along the path at the back of the cemetery until it meets the path from the Lychgate. Then walk the same distance again and Mum and Dad's grave is just before a little tree.

Johnny and Jocelyn *
Johnny was my uncle and his grave is at the back of the churchyard, three rows behind Mum's and with a very smart standing gravestone which does mention that he had a DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross). Jocelyn was his wife.

I have walked in 40 minutes from Jacobs via the park field, Hurst lane, Churchland lane, then right after Killingan wood across some fields. You can enter the cemetery by Jacobs gate, apparently so called because the people from Jacobs always walked that way to church.

George
* Updated 19 Sep 2019

Comments
It was a particular wish of Uncle Johnnie to have the DFC on his gravestone. Although a remarkably modest man, he was very proud of his medal.
Somewhere in the graveyard my other grandmother, Mary Wenham's, ashes were buried. I think i could find it and must look on my next visit.
Posted by: Nick Crean | June 01, 2016 at 11:35 AM

George, great map etc. When I was at Jacobs in early June with Arthur he led an expedition to Mum's grave and I took an edging iron from the potting shed and cut back the grass and earth from Granny and Grandpa's gravestone. The Petri brothers had brought its overgrown condition to my attention after Mum's burial. When I was doing the cutting back I noticed that after Grandpa's name there is Kt (I think) so perhaps that is the nod to his title? I agree that the inscriptions on the stone needed a bit of sharpening up. Maybe a job for my next visit?? Tom

Posted by: Tom | July 26, 2015 at 12:24 PM

Updates 19 Sep 2019

There is a rather morbid graves website where photos of the grave stones may also be seen.

Hello Viv

Meet Viv who was born to Alice on June 25 on the information I have from her grandfather. This photo was taken the next day, so I suppose she must be at home now. Also, according to my informant Vivian was either 7lbs 8oz or 8lbs 7oz. Both weights are good. Well done Alice! More stuff at https://www.facebook.com/alice.keeling1

George, with apologies for the delay.

Comment
Brilliant! xox

Posted by: Jim | June 30, 2015 at 10:03 AM

Trevor and Louise

Trevor and Louise came to visit me in Berlin last weekend and they had some great news.

Three cheers. Such good news. Lots of love from Jacquie and Trevor
Posted by: Trevor Keelng | June 08, 2015 at 11:15 AM

Massive congrats Trev and Louise! Wonderful news.
Posted by: Archie | June 06, 2015 at 05:37 PM

Lots of congratulations and love from Rob xxx
Posted by: rob k | June 06, 2015 at 04:23 PM

We're very far from setting a date. thanks for the messages. Certainly next year, I think
Posted by: Trevor | June 06, 2015 at 11:09 AM

Absolutely brilliant and fantastic. Congratulations and look forward to hearing the date. With lots of love from Tom,Siobhan,Arthur,Edward, Imo and Flora
Posted by: Tom | June 06, 2015 at 10:02 AM

oh WOW - congratulations Trevor and Louise - that is the best news - lots of love Paul and Van xxx
Posted by: Van Keeling | June 06, 2015 at 08:53 AM

Grandpa, Michael Keeling uses the 'f' word

Grandpa, Michael Keeling swears in front of granny. She laughs. Co-starring Jacquie, Trevor, George and Jim who I left off the credits, by accident.

Jacobs wind farm and Sir Michael?

At the beginning of the month, just before budha's 89th, birthday I had one of my stupid 'brainwaves' and I wondered why people don't build windfarms in forests and jungles. I put it on that silly website georgekeeling.com, saying "In Germany they sprout up in every farm, generating energy and income for the locals. To me they seem majestic as they slowly rotate above the fields, while cows graze or corn grows beneath them". In forests and jungles, "Forest walkers would occasionally come across a man-made tree trunk disappearing into the canopy, the sensitive English would barely be offended, indigenous jungle dwellers could earn a bit more from their jungle. The environmental impact would be minimal or positive."

We could start a revolution at Jacobs and put up a few there -- see my picture. The big ones are huge and have a little cockpit at the top (100m up) for mainenance. You could probably sleep up there in the sky. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, "An onshore wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5–3 MW can produce more than 6 million kWh in a year – enough to supply 1,500 average EU households with electricity." Jacobs wind farm could power Hastings. Budha might get knighted!

Here's a project worthy of some of the grandchildren. Arthur, it would be an excellent 'case study' on your business studies course. And then I haven't even mentioned the zip wire possibilities.....

Comment
Air slows down and becomes turbulent upon contact with the ground. The rougher the ground the higher you have to go up to get out of this slow and turbulent region. Trees increase the roughness of the ground so you would need an extra long mast for the turbine. Probably the mast would be so long it would become too expensive a thing to do.

Also you need to be able to construct and maintain the wind turbines. This would require roads for access and a large cleared area adjacent to the turbine where you could set it out before you erected it.

So, all in all, I think its best if we concentrate efforts in construction of wind turbines in unwooded areas to begin with.

Posted by: Trevor the younger | January 23, 2015 at 04:51 PM

World's first bunjee jump

Earlier this week Arthur sent me an email with a link to a TV show he had seen in Bristol http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29819029
which was fun to see. A blast from the past maybe but I did think that Simon looked as a cool as a cucumber.....he might as well have been climbing over the fence into the Park Field rather than taking a leap into the unknown! Tom

George added: I can't view the viseo in Germany. This may be the same one from Youtube:

Part Time Work??

Does anyone out there want to, or know someone that would like to, earn some money for pretty simple (read boring) part time work?  The work can be done in your own time, evenings, weekend, whenever suits (but it does have to get done!).  At an estimate, there is currently 200 hours’ work a year.  There are currently 50 projects per year and each project takes around 4 hours(ish) to complete.  It would be best (but not vital) if the person was able to spend ½ day in our office to get some initial training. We will pay £7.00 an hour.

You will need to:

1. Have a computer with Microsoft Office
2. Be able to connect to the net to transfer files from time to time
3. Be comfortable using Microsoft excel
4. Invoice us for your time
5. Be able to turn around the projects in 1 week

Get hold of me if you or someone you know might be interested in this. xP

Comment
I need part time workers too! I tried Amazon's Mechanical Turk but you need US residence etc. which I cannot do. I will be looking for Euro equivalent.

Posted by: george keeling | October 22, 2014 at 10:23 AM

Keelings v's Sedlescombe 31st August 2014

We all met at the Brickwall (George’s favourite hostelry) for lunch, generously supplied by Mum & Dad and the whole team was present!  Nine Keelings and 2 ringers supplied by Kate Keeling (Will Crompton & Steve Watkins).  The weather was fine, barometer climbing  and all set fair.

The match started promptly following the loss of the toss by Paul, we were put into bat.  It all started well enough with an opening stand of 69.  Only ending with the loss of Josh’s wick for 40 (top Keeling score).  Will Cromption then came in and the score continued to 96 until he fell for 15.  From here things turned rather grave and the only highlights of what followed (a middle order collapse tailgated by a tail end capitulation?) were Harry’s 12 and Luke’s unbeaten 19. Long and the short of it saw us coming in early for tea, all out for 137.

We had batted for 38 overs, quite a lot for not many runs?  The general view though was that this was a little thin!

And so it proved.  In their 31st over Sedlescombe went past our score and secured victory.  In almost all areas of the game I feel we probably have to admit defeat, EXCEPT in that most important of areas ‘Esprit de Corps’.  In this area, with our never say die attitude and bulldog spirit, we aced ‘em.  So Hussar for the Keelings and heads up for next year.

And now for some history -  Having checked with the archivist I can report the following (slightly uncertain) ‘facts’:

The first fixture of this match was post war and a one off, happened sometime between 1947 and 1950.  Grandpa, Jack Keeling, was captain and the pitch at that time was down where the A21 is now.

The next match was not played until (we think) 1966, Dad was captain and Trevor Keeling and Howard Palmer played aged 12?.  It has been a pretty constant fixture since then.

So, we are either nearing the 50th anniversary or (at a stretch) on the 67th!! Nearing the 50th is what I’d go for.
Comments
I've read today you've got 11 Keelings and it's a world record, is the story on-line somewhere?
Posted by: Dave Thompson | August 26, 2016 at 06:57 PM

Harumph. See what happens when you go the Brickwall. It's under the curse of Keeling.
Posted by: george keeling | September 08, 2014 at 06:24 AM

Paul is the mostest! Long live Paul !
Love Mum...
Posted by: Jenifer Keeling | September 07, 2014 at 04:54 PM

Rallying news

Some news from Somerset. Edward and his seven friends have completed their 1,000 mile bike ride from Trafalgar Square to Casino Square in Monaco, arriving after thirteen days on the road and camping all the way through France en route. Ironically they had to push their bikes for the very last bit because it is illegal to ride a bike in Casino Square and there are masses of police who patrol the streets there. I drove their support vehicle all the way and I was very impressed by the strength of all of them completing their daily ride, coping with mechanical breakdowns and camping each night. Four of the lads have their father serving in the navy, army or air force and they have raised nearly £15,000 sponsorship for SSAFA which is a charity that supports injured servicemen and their families. Many thanks to everyone who supported that.

Arthur is pushing on from Almaty in Khazakstan now, after staying with Alice for a night or two. He is aiming to cross into Russia briefly and then drop down into Mongolia and head for Ulaan Battoor which is the destination for him and his buddy in their Nissan Micra and that will put about 10,000 miles under their belts. Then they are aiming to drive home, mostly through Russia before hitting western Europe again. Alice, thank you for harbouring them and also your very kind message since their departure. Tom