London Spring

There are songs about Paris in the Springtime, but I think London would maybe be hard to beat. Gardens, trees, shrubs, flower boxes..... and blooms everywhere.

For such a densely populated large city, there are lots of parks and all are well kept. Click on the collage to see a full screen view of some of the prettiest.

The Talbot

At the Family History Centre we have a great view, through some large picture windows, into a cobble-stone street called the 'Mews'.

The used-to-be carriage barns are all now houses that are valued at upwards of £2m. One day last week I looked out and saw a remarkable car. With camera in hand I went for a look.

The car turned out to be a 1930 Talbot, and not just any old Talbot, but the one that competed in the 1930 Le Mans 24-hour race and took 3rd place. It looked totally in original condition without any restoration. Here are a few pictures and the race results.

Top Deck

When we arrived in London seven months ago, we were greeted at the door of our flat by Don and Claudia Innskeep. They had stocked our cupboards with food, filled a vase with fresh flowers and hung cute towels in our kitchen. Don took us to pay our council taxes, obtain our freedom passes and showed us how to get around on the London double decker buses. We have enjoyed many fun times with them at work and at play. One simple pleasure he taught us was to climb the steps of a bus to the top deck and ride around the city and see the sites. We have done this many times. Sunday night, the Innskeeps traveled home from church on the top deck. When they neared their stop, Don started down the steps when the bus jerked sending Don flying head first, down the steps. When Claudia reached him, she saw that his ear was nearly severed and he was bleeding profusely. An ambulance was called and he was taken to the hospital. Claudia called Jim and and asked that he and another elder give him a Priesthood blessing before a plastic surgeon sewed him back together.
He is home today - recovering. We will all hold on a little tighter when we ride the bus - and forget the top deck.

Finding My Past

The Family History Center was closed for Good Friday and we had a scheduled P-Day on Saturday. So, with the approval of our Mission President we took an overnight trip to explore HADSPEN, the birth place of my great grandmother, Ellen (Eleanor) Hill. Hadspen is a Hamlet, which is considered a small village of 5-6 buildings and families. Hadspen is very much the same as it was in the mid-ninteenth century when Ellen and her family lived there.

Here are some pictures of Haspen with homes that were built in the 1700's. I have not been able to find which one might have been my ancestors, but for sure it was one of them. We talked to some of the residents, who were very friendly and hospitable. We also went to the Parish church that was there in the same era (above left). Some of the family died in Hadspen, so we looked through the graveyard for any 'Hill' names but couldn't find any.

We stayed at the Greystones House, which is a Bed&Breakfast just outside of Castle Cary. This home was built in the early 1800's with subsequent additions. It is beautiful, our room was a delight and we were treated to a 'full English' breakfast, which means, sausage, eggs, bacon (ham to most), a rather large mushroom, stewed tomatoes, toast and local honey or preserves, juice and museli (cereal).

Check the link at the right [Hadspen] for more pictures.

More later..... Elder Watts

Being a Missionary

I've been invited to accompany the AP's on three occasions -- once this week -- to help with a new investigator discussion. These have all been very enjoyable. The discussion this week was with 'Audrey', a lady that the AP's met on the street. She says that she has been actively looking for a church and has gone to many. When she met the Elders, she was excited to hear their message. She seems very interested and excited for another teaching moment.

Friday, I helped a man, who had been in the FHC a few times, with some scans of microfiche records. We chatted a bit as we did the scans, he paid for them and left. I grabbed my lunch and went to the lunch room and found him there organizing his papers. As I ate, I began a conversation with him and he started asking me questions and commenting about the church. He noted that he had observed some missionaries and wondered if we had a training program to teach 'courtesy', 'manners' and 'good behavior.' He has a high regard for 'Mormons' and asked me if there were any Mormon 'convicts' and seemed surprised when I told him yes, there probably are. He was astonished when I told him we were here at our own expense. He knew that families are important and seemed to want to know 'more'. So, I told him about the restoration and modern day prophets. He was very receptive. I told him about conference and invited him to come see our prophet next week. He said he just might do that. I know that he will be back in the FHC if not to conference.

Great spirit as always in the Lea Valley ward today -- fast day. A new convert was confirmed and the testimonies were sweet as usual. One of our YM, a teacher, bore his testimony.

Best wishes to all,

Elder Watts

Another Week....

Lots of activity in the FHC this week. It seems that almost every day there are those who go away smiling because they've found an ancestor for whom they've been looking for many years. It's fun to see the successes.

Yesterday, being our P-day, we went with the other three senior couples to Rochester to see the Rochester Castle (left) and the Rochester Cathedral. Rochester was the home of Charles Dickens for 14 years and there's lots of connections in Rochester to his writings. We went there for the annual Christmas Dickens Festival in December, but it was so crowded (and cold) that we didn't get to see the castle and cathedral. It was well worth a second visit. Check the links at right for pictures if you are interested - beautiful cathedral, amazing castle and interesting old buildings the most notable of which is Richard Watts' Six Poor Travelers Inn (several pictures of it). Watts, who died in 1579, is buried in the cathedral. Dickens story, Seven Poor Travelers (he is the other traveler along with the six) is a very good short story and can be found at The Seven Poor Travelers.

Great day at Lea Valley today. Today is England's "Mothering Sunday," -- British Mother's Day. Lot's of tributes to mothers. Great sacrament meeting, good lessons, great spirit. Sister Watts led a really good Gospel Doctrine class discussion about missionary work. She is a good teacher. Had a good time teaching the YM in priesthood meeting as well.

Best wishes to all for a good week!

Love, Elder & Sister Watts

London Life - Winter Style

Aside from all the antiquities and architectural wonders of London, the people are facinating. The few pictures in the collage here don't even begin to scratch the surface of style and dress displayed. Clearly, the most common color is BLACK (coats, jackets, sweaters, dresses, socks, shoes) and the most common footwear (for younger women) is black boots with 3-4" heels. Everyone wears a scarf and, on rainy days, carries an umbrella (I guess that goes without saying). I feel a little like a paparazzi when taking uninvited pictures, but occasionally can't resist a discreet photo or two. Must make a comment about two of them. The red pom-pom in the upper left is really a coat. The man, center-bottom, lives as you see him on the street in front of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Now then -- babies! Babies in London, I think begin life as a caterpillar and live in a cocoon. They are wheeled around in buggies that have large rubber tires and plastic vinyl hoods to encapsulate their contents. The babies/children that ride in them are bundled to the point of no-movement-allowed coats and snow suits. Here are two examples.

Lastly here's an indispensible item that we could not live without, given the circumstance of not having a car and walking and/or riding busses to and from the grocery store. A TROLLEY! It folds flat for easy carrying to .... unfolds and holds lots of groceries for pulling from.

Love to all,

E & S Watts

Stories of Lea Valley Ward

The experience we are enjoying in our ward is unique. I feel that each person has a story to be told. It is too bad that we don't always have time to visit and hear those stories. Today I decided to talk to at least one person. Her name is Ismarelda from Albania, and she was raised a Muslim. She left her home town 7 years ago to study at a University. She saw the LDS missionaries and was curious about them so she talked to them and then studied the gospel for 5 years before getting baptized 2 years ago. Her family has not spoken to her since that day and she had to leave her country. She told me she will never be able to return.

A young man spoke in Church today and told of his conversion story. I was touched by his strong spirit and testimony. He was born in Turkey and their family was not religious. He felt something was missing in his life. In 2004 he prayed to know what was missing. He met a girl who belonged to the Church and she invited him to listen to the missionaries. After the first lesson he knew it was right. He was so happy that he literally skipped home. The ward he first attended met in a small room in a book shop. He enjoyed it so much that he didn't want to leave. He read the Book of Mormon and he said it took him 3 months to get the courage to pray about it. His answer came sure and strong and he was baptized. He recently returned from serving a mission in the England, Manchester mission.

These people strengthen me and help me to be more fully aware of the great blessing the gospel has been to me all of my life. It is a privilege to be among them.
Sister Watts

Sabbath Somnolence

Again... we felt a great spirit and warm friendship in the Lea Valley Ward. Neither of us were teaching today, and it was simply a day to soak in the words of others. I had assigned one of the Priests, Aaron Quashie, to lead the lesson discussion on the Holy Ghost. Having had experience with this sort of thing in the past, I prepared in case he 'forgot.' Aaron is the 1st Assitant in the Priest Quorum and came prepared and gave a great lesson. All 'six' (today) of the Aaronic Priesthood holders meet together. Here are the six -- with Elder Anderston from Cardston, Canada.

Aaron is the one in the back to the left of Elder Anderson.

It was a beautiful day with mostly sunshine and a high of 13 (that would be Celsius). The daffodils are everywhere and many trees and bushes are blooming.

We have been wanting to take a walk in a nearby very old cemetery, so today..... we did.

Quoth the raven "Nevermore"

The Cemetery was originally known as the West of London and Westminster Cemetery. Now it is known as the Brompton Cemetery. It is full of crypts and monuments. The link at the right leads to a few pictures. Among the dead are the living as well..... ravens, squirrels, pigeons and foxes (didn't see any of those) as well as ......Daffodils.

The chapel, modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was used in GoldenEye (1995), Pierce Brosnan's first Bond movie. Below is a picture of the chapel as well as the colonnades above the catacombs. That's not a Bond girl; it's Sister Watts peering out.

Love to all...... Elder Watts

P-Days in London

Lunch with Woon Choa

This sweet sister from our ward wanted to "feed the missionaries," but her flat is so small that she invited us to join her for lunch at a restaurant. Along with three young elders, we went to a Chinese Buffet in Walthamstow and had a nice visit with Sister Woon Choa. She is from Hong Kong and has been a member of the Church for several years. She and her sister are the only members of the church from a family of 10. She is the ward organist and plays the piano and the organ for Sacrament meeting and Relief Society. -- 7 March 2009

Touring the Limehouse Cut

A week ago we went for a walk along the "Limehouse Cut", which is a waterway canal that is the gateway to over 2,000 miles of navigable canals. The picture at the left at the beginning of the canal is the Limehouse Basin, which is now a marina for yachts and is overlooked by banks of beautiful modern 'flat' buildings. We walked along the canal through rows of old factory buildings and warehouses that once used the canal to transport materials and finished product. A towpath, where we walked, lines the canal where horses used to pull the barges along the canal. The Limehouse Cut is the first navigable canal constructed in 1766. The name 'Limehouse' came from lime kilns built in the 14th century for lime used in plaster for building 'wattle and daub' walls in early London buildings.

We walked up the canal for about two miles past the "Bow Locks" where Bow Creek joins the Limehouse cut and runs past Three Mills Island. Here is a picture of the Three Mills.

The House Mill, at the far left, is the largest tidal mill in Britain. Next to it is the Millers House with the Clock Mill on the right. The house mill was built in 1776. If you want to see how it worked, click here http://www.housemill.org.uk/mymodel.htm These buildings are now home to Three Mills Films Studios, London's largest film studio.

If you want to see a few pictures of the canal -- a canal boat that people live in -- etc. click on the Limehouse link at the right.

It was a beautiful spring day with 'daffys' beginning to poke out everywhere. Lastly, here's a picture from a 'budding' bush near our flat, a sure sign of spring.

Love you all,

E & S Watts

London Driving & More

Downtown London's roads are the 2009 version of the original cart and wagon paths of midieval London. The street names, like the towns, counties and parishes are classics like Cheapside, Regent, Oxford, Old Brompton and High Street Kensington. But dirt wagon paths do not a modern city street make, and the city fathers, determined to limit the number of modern automobiles on said paths, have a 'Congestion Zone' that requires a daily payment of £8 to drive therein. This, from all outward appearances, seems to be a small deterrent, because there is a lot of traffic. Cars, big and small, all have large licensce plates that are 'watched' by strategic cameras to make sure no one escapes this charge. It appears to be very effective. Those who miss payment by midnight the following day are subject to a penalty of £120!

How can they monitor such a vast armada of cars you say? Well here's just one bank of cameras with 'big brother' watching.

Here are a couple of other related London driving photos. First a picture of a Taxi driver coffee shop that is in the middle of the road and is for taxi drivers only.

Next is a bollard (a post to keep cars out), a fancy one from our neighborhood in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, RBKC for short. Then here's a picture of an RBKC garbage can, also rather fancy. There are street sweepers working seemingly around the clock with a broom and a push cart. RBKC keeps the street very clean.

And lastly a Bobby from the London Metropolitan Police Force.
Elder Watts....

PS.. On Thursday we went to see Hampton Court Palace.... see the pictures from link at right.

The Week That Was

Here are some of the (mostly regular) patrons who are in the FHC quite regularly and some everyday (click for a bigger view). Starting with the center, that's Mr. Williams, who comes almost every day and does lots of work on Irish ancestors. Then around the circle from top left, there is Mary and Janet, English to the core with cockney accents and all, who are professional genealogists. Next is Ms. Harley, who spends her time researching her ancestors from the Caribbean. At the top right is Carole Baines who lives in the Lea Valley Ward and came in for the first time on Wednesday and worked on her line in New FamilySearch. We were saddened to hear today that she had a falling accident and broke both ankles! Bottom right is Ken. He spends a lot of time in the Centre..... not sure what he finds. Bottom middle is Lynette, who is here from Australia and has spent almost every day doing family research. She has found 'many' ancestors, is here in London for several more weeks and has ordered some films to view while she's here.

Then in the last two pictures (bottom left and middle left) we have three FHC workers, who make the work pleasant for the rest of us, Sister Inskeep and Sister Watts followed in the middle left picture by Matthew Pridham. Matthew is the Assistant Director of the Centre and is very knowledgeable about Family History.

Every week there are successes with ancestors found ..... and failures with blind alleys and ancestors who are hiding. One lady came in with one name looking for more, and in fairly short order Sister Watts found four more generations for her on the IGI. She was thrilled!!

I helped a man find some Antigua (Caribbean) records, that he said were nowhere else to be found. We printed out 23 scans of documents for him. He was delighted!

Finally, here is a picture of a rather beautiful English lady with whom I work. I am most grateful for her. At least I think she's become English. As you can see she dresses English, rides busses and says thing like "pop in" and "straight away." To see her better, click on her picture.

Elder Watts

"It mattereth not what ye shall eat"

Recently, the Whitechapel Ward in our Hyde Park Stake was asked to vacate the rented school building in which they have been meeting for several years. A month ago they started meeting in our building after our block. Last Sunday, Jim had a meeting after church, and I waited for him in the foyer. Our friends, the Scotts, attend the Whitechapel ward, and Kella plays the piano for them. I could hear the Sacrament song being played when the door flew open and their Relief Society president ran out and said, "I forgot the bread, we have no bread!" I felt her panic, but didn't know how to help. We looked in the kitchen, searching for something. When we went back to the foyer, a man came in the front door with something wrapped in foil in his hands and they went back to Sacrament meeting.
Monday morning I asked Kella what happened. She said they sang all of the verses twice and then they asked her to keep playing. Finally the Sacrament was served. "Cake! We had cake, she said." Our discussion led to D&C 27:2, "it mattereth not what ye shall eat." We had quite a laugh thinking about the different options, but concluded that when Elder Inskeep said, "I guess you could even have pickles" that that was going too far. Sister Watts

A Snowy Day in London Town

February 2nd, 2009
It snowed in London today. It was a pretty average 6-inch Utah snowstorm, but it paralyzed this vast city that hasn’t seen so much snow in 18 years. All buses were suspended and with millions depending on them for transportation, the city came to a halt. We walked a little more than a mile to the Family History Centre and witnessed many happy children building snowmen because the schools were closed. As we walked through the Imperial College of London, we worried about getting hit with a snowball. At least 50 students were having a big snowball fight and you could hear their laughter for several blocks.

People everywhere were taking pictures. I don’t remember another day that I’ve seen so much happiness in this big and sometimes gloomy city.

The People of Lea Valley Ward

We wanted you to meet some of the wonderful people of the Lea Valley Ward. They come from many countries -- Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Philippines, Peru, Germany, St. Vincent (Caribbean), Hungary and, of course, England. However, they have several things in common -- large smiles, warm hearts and testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So it is our pleasure to introduce you to the folks from the Lea Valley Ward.

Clifford Robnett (Building Coordinator and Official Greeter) and Bishop David Vincent





Sister Watts with Luz (Gospel Doctrine Teachers) and Jun Roosendaal (1st Counselor to Bishop Vincent)








Full time missionaries - Elder Anderson (L) and Elder Beta (R) with Brother Augustine Adu








Elder Wilbert Kahwa (Ward Mission Leader) & Sister Watts







Brother Peter Stokes (HP Group Leader) & Sister Glenda Stokes (RS President)








Brother & Sister Baldwin









Sister Nathali Vincent (Bishop's Wife) with brand new baby girl (first child)









The 'Young Men' with Elder Anderson









Sister Blossom Gordon (Sunday School Class President)









Sister Laudicea Freilich and Sister Nerissa Irish




Wonderful people all and our brothers and sisters, who have welcomed us with open arms.

Usiku mwema, Lala salama [Swahili for goodnight and sleep well]
Elder & Sister Watts

The Circle of Life

Well.... here's a profound thought for the day culled from a long ago memory. Just short of forty-seven years ago Barbara and I were living in a small rental house trailer in Monroeville, PA. The trailer had one bedroom, a bathroom, kitchen and living room. We had no TV and spent lots of time walking, talking, reading and at the end of the day..... we sometimes played Gin Rummy.

Fast forward to 2009 and here we are in London England. We live in a small 'flat' that has one bedroom, a bathroom, kitchen and living room. We have no TV and spend lots of time walking, talking, reading and at the end of the day.....last Sunday night we played.... you guessed it.... Gin Rummy.

Now... That's Progress

A typical week in the life of Elder and Sister Watts

Sunday, January 18th. The Piccadilly underground line we usually take to church was closed so we had to go to plan B which was a bus, tube, train ride and another bus ride. It took us one hour and 20 minutes to get there and we arrived barely in time for the Sacrament. I taught the Gospel Doctrine Class and I loved what I learned about Joseph Smith's First Vision. I get good responses when I ask questions, the people are great. Jim taught the Young Men and he had a good lesson experience.
We were invited to the Stoke's (HP Group Leader & RS President) home for dinner and we enjoyed a feast. She is a black lady from the Caribbean and he is from England and a convert of seven years. A young man about 25 years old from Tanzania also came to dinner. He joined the church when he was 16 and is the only member from his family. We loved to hear their conversion stories. What great faith and commitment they have.

Monday, January 19th. We arrived at the Centre at 10:am. Every Monday Sister Richins and I count the money we've taken in, prepare a bank deposit and a financial report for the Church, and then we walk to the bank. A church auditor came as we were in the process and we reported to him how we handle the finances of the FHC. We have not been audited for years. He questioned a few of the things we have purchased over the years, but seemed to like the way we handled the money. It will be interesting to see his report.

We worked all afternoon on a special project that Sharon Hintze has us doing. We are indexing Irish Land Valuation Films. We have 356 and it takes about an hour to do each one.

We enjoyed Family Home Evening with our missionary friends. There are good cooks here in London too.

Wednesday was Zone Conference which is a special day with about 40 of the young elders and the 12 Seniors. It is always a spiritually uplifting day with instruction from President and Sister Foulger and training by several of the elders. I had to demonstrate how to eat a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, not once but twice, as a training aid (fun way to be a guinea pig).

Our time in the Centre with patrons is always interesting and challenging. We are keeping busy and I am learning a few things each day.

Friday night we went with the senior missionaries to see "The Sound of Music" at the London Palladium (a beautiful theatre). It was a wonderful production and we loved it.

On Saturday we went with the Inskeeps to walk around some parts of London: The London Stone, St. Mary le Bow Church and of course enjoy hot chocolate and pastries. We then went to the Evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral. Words cannot describe that magnigicent place. It was a fun and relaxing day - just what I needed.

St. Mary le Bow on the left, St. Paul's dome on the right. Both Sir Christopher Wren's work, and both very beautiful.










We are truly blessed - we are learning to love many things about London.
Love, Sister Watts