My married name is Willis, but I was born Jean Barkham. I spent my honeymoon at Seaview in June 1960. The weather was wonderful, the beach quiet and the sea warm. A trip to Godshill, where in the visitors book I was astounded to see the name of the lady who had made my wedding dress. Obviously she had gone there on holiday. Carrisbrooke, with the enchanting donkey and its sad memorabilia of Charles 1 and the climb up the tower to see the view of Newport.

What I did not know at the time, was that my ancestors came from the Island. In doing my family history I find that in 1665 ancestor purchased half of Belper Farm . His son, also Benjamin leased the The Shippe at Ryde, now long gone, and leased Aldemore Farm, whilst his son Robert leased Park Farm Brading. From reasearch all these ancestors were buried at Binstead. I am hoping one day to return to the Island to try and locate where they may be, and if the churchyard still remains.