Celebration as baby Niall makes it five... generations

THE birth of a child is cause for huge celebration in any family.

But for the Griffiths family their latest new arrival marked a particularly special milestone – as the birth of baby Niall means there are now five generations of both sides of the family.

And while doting mother Jodie Griffiths, 22, is on hand to look after her beautiful son – fortnight-old Niall John Rossiter – there are plenty of extra pairs of hands around should she need any help.

Jodie lives in Ton Pentre, in the Rhondda, with her parents Michelle, 43, and Lee Griffiths, 45.

Even if the proud grandparents were off out for the evening Jodie wouldn’t be short of offers to babysit for bouncing Niall as Michelle’s dad – Niall’s great-grandfather – John Butler, 65, and Lee’s mother Lynne Gidwell, Niall’s 63-year-old greatgrandmother, are both on hand.

Not only that but two of Niall’s great-great-grandmothers – John’s mother Tegwen Butler, 85, and Lynne’s mother Edith Evans, 82, are also around.

With five generations still alive on both sides of the family it makes up quite a large and special family with a wealth of knowledge and experience to pass on to baby Niall.

Indeed the family’s combined age tots up to an astonishing 405 years – which means Niall will never be short of some words of wisdom and guidance as he grows up.

Michelle said: “We are a very close family and there’s always someone there to call on if someone else is not around. There’s always somebody to fall back on.”

And while most families have plenty of preparation and shopping to do in the run-up to Christmas Niall’s arrival means this year there will be another person to buy for in the Griffiths’ bumper festive big day.

“Obviously it’s good at Christmas because you get lots of gifts off everyone,” Michelle added.

“That’s why we are so special because we can look back at all of our old photos and you can look back at the memories.

“In a couple of years time when Niall is old enough to understand we can look back and talk about all our memories with him.”