Page 3 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • October 2009 3
Britain’s biggest brood - 10 years on CYCLe rePAIrS

In October 1999 The Link was the first media anywhere to carry the story of Sue and Ian Povey's 13th child, Free collection
they have had two more children - and now also have five grandchildren. Joy Aldred went to meet Sue.
Sue and Ian (now 50 and 52), from & delivery from
Grange Park, and their increasing home or work
number of children, were dubbed ★ Servicing & repairs
in a TV programme as ‘Britain's
Over 25 yrs ★ New cycles
biggest brood.’ experience ★ Parts & accessories
Following our story the Poveys
made several TV appearances Safety alert
whilst the local and national press Bikes bought on the internet
scrambled for their story. Trips or mail order must be checked
to London and visits from pho- before being ridden. CALL NOW
tographers and journalists from
The Daily Mail and The Mirror fOr fAst, frieNdLy serviCe
and magazines, such as Hello and Phil Mitchell: 874873 day or eve.
Closer, were all a regular feature Emily, 8, Sue, Ellie, 10, Jessica, 13, Abbie, 11, Katie, 15, Ian, Isabelle, 6, Caitlin, 9, or 07850 650956 (mobile)
of family life. (granddaughter) Rebecca, 29. Unable to make the photoshoot: Thomas, 17, Callum
The enjoyment of talking to the 18, Matt, 19, Mike, 20, Chris, 22, Alex, 24, Charlotte, 25, Hannah, 27.
press may have worn off (except See the Povey family from the October 1999 Link at www.swindonlink.com
for The Link, Sue assured us) but bunkbeds and a single bed to house childhood. "It was quite chaotic but Had an accident/injured?
having babies has not. the children. we were used to it and we all had On the road? At work?
Her youngest Isabelle is now 6, Sue, a full time housewife, said someone to turn to. I got to share
but Sue and Ian have been trying for the family has always been self- clothes and makeup and we went out Slip? Trip?
No. 16 ever since she arrived. "Noth- sufficient. "Every large family is with each other. Now, we go around Medical negligence?
ing has happened so it looks like tarred with the same brush; people each other's homes, and there are lots

it's nature's way of saying enough just assume we are on benefits - we of family get-togethers.
is enough, which I find very hard,” are not. My husband works and we "I have two children of my own Speak to a
said Sue. “I get really sad when the pay our way." and I think it will stop there. It was SpeciAliST SOliciTOr
house is quiet when the kids are at The children are now aged be- nice to experience growing up with
school. No babies... it's horrible, like tween 6 and 29 years, with the older loads of others, but I find two hard in Swindon on
the house is depressed when they're ones having left home. Becky, Han- enough with my pair. I don't know 600721
gone. I'd love to have more." nah and Charlotte have their own how mum did it; I think she's amaz-
But why? “I just love being sur- aged 7 months to 9 years. ing. She's been brilliant, giving me
rounded by children, I enjoy being Growing up with a ready made advice with my two and helping S. J. edney Solicitors
www.sjedney.co.uk
a mum, I revel in it. When I was set of friends has been good say the me out in the holidays. Mum has
younger I had a sister who was 13 children. Ellie, 10, who sparked the made it look so easy."
years older and I felt like an only original Link story, said she liked
child. I hated being on my own sharing a room with two sisters. "My
and I vowed to have a large fam- brothers and sisters are there for you
ily so none of my children would when you need them, if someone “Party season? Bring it on!”
feel lonely." is being mean they will stick up for
The original four bed detached you. If I want to be on my own, I go
house has been extended three into the garden." I dropped 3 dress
times and now has six bedrooms, Hannah, aged 27, remembers
two of which have two sets of how busy the house was in her own sizes in 4 months
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