Latest news with #TenPoundPom
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Leadlighter still keen at 90
A Dunedin leadlighter who has just turned 90 plans to keep at his craft until he no longer can. Chris Watts' work can be seen across Otago, displayed in museums, fitted on houses, decorating churches and welcoming patrons into pubs. "Oh, they're all over Dunedin ... At the Rope and Twine, the Law Courts, in First Church — all around the place," Mr Watts said. He had been in the leadlight game for 50 years and had no plans to slow down, despite celebrating his 90th birthday last Thursday. "I might hang around for a bit longer, there's only 90 years gone but there's a few more to go here I think." Mr Watts has attempted to pass on his knowledge four times, but every budding leadlighter quickly grew frustrated and gave up the craft. "It's such a concentrated job ... It's a lot of patience, and they just didn't want to know — they'd rather wait for payday. "There's room for it if somebody wants to take it up, but it's that patience you've got to have." Mr Watts was born in England in 1935 and after his mother "ran off with a boarder" he was placed in an orphanage. He was shuttled between foster homes and orphanages throughout his childhood and was twice buried in rubble during the blitz in World War 2. "Eight foster homes — they didn't want me, they just wanted the money with it, and when they got fed up they sent me back to the home. That's how it worked." He moved to New Zealand after marrying his wife Pauline Watts — whom he wooed when planting a kiss on her while locked in a pie factory's walk-in freezer. Mrs Watts was engaged to another man at the time and her then fiance's mother was on the other side of the freezer door. "She did not approve the match," he said. It had always been Mrs Watts' dream to move to New Zealand, and he had "nowhere to go anyways", Mr Watts said. The pair jumped on the last Ten Pound Pom ship to New Zealand from Britain and never looked back. "She said, 'do you mind?' I said, 'I don't care'." One of Mr Watts' latest leadlight works was a piece with the birth flowers of his granddaughter's children. His daughter, Karen Fraser, said the piece was a surprise. "My daughter had 10 pregnancies, and she's now got three living children ... So Dad's just done this amazing piece showing their birth flowers." He also made two panels to be auctioned off at a gala day in Weston in support of his great-grandson's medical costs. "Dad did that to raise funds for Billy, who was born with holoprosencephaly, which is a part of his brain missing." They got $1000 each for the two panels. "Dad's quite clever, and he definitely knows it," Mrs Fraser said.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Leadlighter whose work is ‘all over Dunedin' still keen at 90
Leadlight maker Chris Watts in his workshop with great-grandson Billy Casey, 2, grandson-in-law Mat Casey and other great-grandson Hamish Casey, 6. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A Dunedin leadlighter who has just turned 90 plans to keep at his craft until he no longer can. Chris Watts' work can be seen across Otago, displayed in museums, fitted on houses, decorating churches and welcoming patrons into pubs. "Oh, they're all over Dunedin ... At the Rope and Twine, the Law Courts, in First Church — all around the place," Mr Watts said. He had been in the leadlight game for 50 years and had no plans to slow down, despite celebrating his 90th birthday last Thursday. "I might hang around for a bit longer, there's only 90 years gone but there's a few more to go here I think." Mr Watts has attempted to pass on his knowledge four times, but every budding leadlighter quickly grew frustrated and gave up the craft. "It's such a concentrated job ... It's a lot of patience, and they just didn't want to know — they'd rather wait for payday. "There's room for it if somebody wants to take it up, but it's that patience you've got to have." Leadlight maker Chris Watts checks a piece of recovered stained glass. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Mr Watts was born in England in 1935 and after his mother "ran off with a boarder" he was placed in an orphanage. He was shuttled between foster homes and orphanages throughout his childhood and was twice buried in rubble during the blitz in World War 2. "Eight foster homes — they didn't want me, they just wanted the money with it, and when they got fed up they sent me back to the home. That's how it worked." He moved to New Zealand after marrying his wife Pauline Watts — whom he wooed when planting a kiss on her while locked in a pie factory's walk-in freezer. Mrs Watts was engaged to another man at the time and her then fiance's mother was on the other side of the freezer door. "She did not approve the match," he said. It had always been Mrs Watts' dream to move to New Zealand, and he had "nowhere to go anyways", Mr Watts said. The pair jumped on the last Ten Pound Pom ship to New Zealand from Britain and never looked back. Chris Watts points to the stained-glass window he made to sell as a fundraiser for his great grandson Billy Casey. PHOTO: SUPPLIED "She said, 'do you mind?' I said, 'I don't care'." One of Mr Watts' latest leadlight works was a piece with the birth flowers of his granddaughter's children. His daughter, Karen Fraser, said the piece was a surprise. "My daughter had 10 pregnancies, and she's now got three living children ... So Dad's just done this amazing piece showing their birth flowers." He also made two panels to be auctioned off at a gala day in Weston in support of his great-grandson's medical costs. "Dad did that to raise funds for Billy, who was born with holoprosencephaly, which is a part of his brain missing." They got $1000 each for the two panels. "Dad's quite clever, and he definitely knows it," Mrs Fraser said.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michelle Keegan announces the birth of first child with husband Mark Wright
Michelle Keegan has announced the arrival of her first child with husband Mark Wright. The Ten Pound Pom and Fool Me Once actress took to Instagram on Wednesday (March 12) afternoon to share the exciting news with fans. Posting a picture of her new-born daughter, Keegan said: "Together we have a new love to share… Our little girl. Palma Elizabeth Wright. 06.03.25." Keegan and former The Only Way Is Essex star Wright, who is now a presented on Heart Radio, have been married since 2015. The pair announced the pregnancy last year with a post on social media of Keegan with a baby bump. Fellow celebrities took to the Instagram post to congratulate Keegan and Wright on the birth of their first child. The Body Coach, Joe Wicks commented: "Ffs I'm crying over here. I know how much you've wanted to be a dad and you'll be an amazing dad too. "This is the most beautiful thing to see. So happy for you both." Former Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Leach posted: "Congratulations guys." Fellow Fool Me Once actress Natalie Anderson said: "Oh what beautiful news!!! Congratulations to you both darling!" RECOMMENDED READING: Everything to know on Ten Pound Poms Series 2 starring Michelle Keegan Brassic starring Michelle Keegan set to end after 6 years, Sky have announced Coronation Street Shelley King teases return to ITV soap Coronation Street fans outraged as icon axed after 11 years JLS singer and TV personality Marvin Humes added: "Massive news! Congrats the moon for you." While Helen Flanagan commented saying: "Oh Michelle. Congratulations xxxxxxx congratulations Michelle & Mark." Other celebrities to congratulate the couple included Amy Dowden and former Love Island contestants Molly Smith and Amber Davies.
