Baby’s family in fifth dimension

When baby Maddison Windsor was born just two weeks ago, she gave one Shropshire family an extra-special reason to celebrate.

For there are now five generations of Roy and Avril Beeston’s family alive, on both sides.

Eldest in the family is 88-year-old Jessie Beeston, of Albrighton, followed by Doris Cooper, 84, from Stirchley in Telford.

Mrs Beeston is mother to Roy, 62, and 60-year-old Avril is the daughter of Mrs Cooper.

Their daughter is Lesley Ellsey, 43, whose 19-year-old daughter Laura is now the proud mother of little baby Maddison.

Avril, who lives in Albrighton with her husband, said the family was thrilled and amazed that there were five generations on both sides.

“It feels ageing,” she said. “But it’s a very nice thing.

“It’s very, very rare to get five generations on both sides.

“We’re a close family. We see each other quite a lot at things like birthday parties.

“I’ve heard of similar things before, but it’s usually four generations rather than five.”

She said her mother and mother-in-law could not quite believe it when they heard they were to be great-great-grandmothers.

“They were over the moon when Laura had Maddison,” she said. “It is very exciting.

“I don’t think they ever thought it would happen.

“They said they thought they wouldn’t be here to see it.”

Mrs Beeston said the whole family was hoping to get together to celebrate the christening of baby Maddison, which is still being planned.

By Lizzie Yates