My Family History

Me and my children

My son Dave

David Andrew BALL

Dave was born in 1978 in Swansea, South Wales. Dave is a talented artist and in June 2001 graduated from the University of Derby with an honours degree in Fine Art. Dave enjoys cycling, travel, videography and cinematography, and he plays the guitar. After graduating, Dave moved from Derby to London where he planned to pursue postgraduate studies. He is currently (2007) living in Lewisham and working at the Camden Arts Centre. Dave has his own extensive Website and is a founder member of the Disco – Artists Collective and the London-based Discotheque group. Over the last few years, Dave's interests in art have taken him to Antwerp, Arles, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, New York, and Paris. In September 2007, he achieved a distinction in his Masters degree in Contemporary Art Theory at the prestigious Goldsmith's College (University of London).

Dave pictured in 2001 (left) with his fellow Fine Art graduates at Derby University, and (below) working on a watercolour sketch.

Left: Dave in Swansea (September 2005)

Residency in Berlin, May/June 2008

From 13 May to 23 June, Dave was artist-in-residence at Galerie Art Claims Impulse, Berlin, Germany. His six-week residency of specialist video, performance and multimedia space was followed by a solo show of work produced. The exhibition ran from 21 June to 5 July.

My daughter Liz

Elizabeth PARTON (née BALL)

Liz was born in 1976 in Swansea, South Wales. For several years Liz and Nathan (now her husband) lived in Slough, Berkshire, but in 2004, new career opportunities brought them back to Wales. In the autumn of 2005, Liz and Nathan bought their own home in a small village in Carmarthenshire. Liz's caring nature is reflected in the work she's done over the past few years with various organisations including the Samaritans, an asylum-seekers support group, and an adoption agency. In 2004, she embarked on a degree course in psychiatric nursing at the University of Wales Swansea where she graduated with honours in September 2007. Liz enjoys visiting such exotic places as India and the Caribbean. In 2006 she developed a keen interest in long-distance running and participated in several 5 km and 10 km races.
In December 2007, Lizzie gave birth to Isaac Albert Parton, her first child and my first grandchild (see below).

Liz and Nathan pictured (left and centre) in May 2001 at the Homelands Festival near Winchester and (right) in September 2005 on their wedding day in Swansea.

My grandson Isaac

Isaac Albert PARTON

Isaac was born on 23 Dec 2007 at West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen, South West Wales.

The photographs were taken at three months (left), and four months (below right).

Left: Liz and Dave on Liz's wedding day in September 2005.

Me

John Leonard BALL

I was born in 1940 in Birmingham, England. For 31 years, I worked in Health Care, firstly as a radiographer, then as a radiography teacher. Career opportunities brought me (and my "ex") to Swansea in 1974. I retired (aged 55) in 1995. From 1978 until 2007 I lived in the village of Ystalyfera and for a short while in Godre'r Graig, both in the Swansea Valley, South Wales, but in February 2008, I moved to Brecon, the county town of Breconshire. Apart from researching family and local history and developing my website, I enjoy music, photography, travel, the countryside, writing, motoring, steam railways, astronomy, DIY, and talking!

My Cat

Toby ("Tobe")

Tobe was born about 1995. Little is known about his early years because I adopted him in November 1999 from the RSPCA, the British animal welfare organisation. When he first arrived, Tobe was very timid and unhappy with humans, possibly because he had been badly treated in a former home. But as the weeks and months passed he gained in confidence until in his later years, he thrived on human company, though he still hated being picked up.

Like most cats, Tobe was a very independent individual and in his earlier years he spent a lot of time outdoors. By the time he reached his 'teens, he spent more time indoors, especially at night. From 1999 until his sudden death from heart failure on 5^thJune 2008, he was my constant companion. He tolerated well the upheaval of moving home three times in 2007 and early 2008 when I eventually settled in Brecon. He absolutely loved exploring the large garden surrounding our new home. We felt it appropriate to choose a quiet corner of the garden as Toby's final resting place. The photo below was taken just two days before Toby died.

Although he looks quite innocent and angelic in the earlier photo, taken in 1999, like most cats Toby had a dark and wild side, too. You'll find lots more pictures illustrating some of his exploits on his own special Toby Webpage.