More than 100 Drapers from around the world reunited in Woolsthorpe

A lot of families get together here and there, but one family that stretches across the globe celebrates every leap year.

More than 100 members from the Draper family met on Saturday, at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir’s Village Hall, for their ninth family reunion.

The family is now four generations strong and had 110 members attend the gathering from countries such as Canada, USA, Germany, Ireland and Spain.

Relatives enjoyed a hog roast supper, music, a bouncy castle, children’s games such as space hopper racing and Sumo wrestling, and spent lots of time drinking and catching up.

Chief family organiser Mick Draper, of Woolsthorpe, said: “The first reunion happened in 1984. It’s the wish of my grandmother, Elizabeth Draper, one of eleven children, who before she died said she wanted the reunions to continue.”

Peggy Girdlestone, age 89, was the oldest relative in attendance, while 12-week-old Reuben Kmieciak-Thorpe was the youngest present.

The Draper reunion is usually held on the last weekend of July but was brought forward this year to suit relatives’ conveniences. The next reunion is set for 2020.