Five generations of women from one family have been captured in a photograph, following a similar image taken over 20 years ago.
The photograph features Valerie Miller, aged in her 80s; her daughter, Belinda Miller; granddaughter, Sam Carter; great-granddaughter, Leah Carter; and the newest addition to the family, great-great-granddaughter Dottie-May Carter, aged six months.
Reflecting on her life, Valerie shared how she moved from London to Dilton Marsh in 1948 at the age of eight. She later settled in Westbury, where she has lived ever since. “I went from job to job because jobs were plentiful in those days,” said Valerie, who also spent 20 years as a hospital volunteer until she turned 80.
Her daughter, Belinda, has lived in Westbury all her life. She attended Westbury Juniors and Matravers School and now works at Morrisons. The family shared memories of their working lives as they came together for the photo, including when Belinda worked as a cleaner at the former Reflections nightclub.
In 1984, Belinda had her daughter, Sam Carter, who lived in Westbury before moving to Warminster to live with her husband. “They’ve been together for 23 years,” said Valerie, adding, “That’s a real testament, really, as so many young marriages don’t last.”
The family’s strong bond remains central to their lives. Valerie said, “Family is family. I wouldn’t be here without any of them because I’m a family person. Family is everything to me. They are the basis of my life, really, because there’s nothing like it, and I wouldn’t change it.”
Sam’s daughter, Leah, said, “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be the woman I am now.”
While the family reflects on the loss of one member from the original photo, taken in January 2003 and also featured in the White Horse News, they celebrate the continuation of their legacy with the addition of Dottie-May.
Five generations of the family now:
Five generations of the family captured in January 2003:
