Britain's best mum; N. Wales woman wins UK acclaim.Byline: Hywel Trewyn JEAN Harrison, voted the best mum in Wales Wales, Welsh Cymru, western peninsula and political division (principality) of Great Britain (1991 pop. 2,798,200), 8,016 sq mi (20,761 sq km), west of England; politically united with England since 1536. The capital is Cardiff. , has just gone one better by scooping the UK title. The 59-year-old from Flint flint, mineral flint, variety of quartz that commonly occurs in rounded nodules and whose crystal structure is not visible to the naked eye. Flint is dark gray, smoky brown, or black in color; pale gray flint is called chert. has been ``mum'' to a 116 foster children. That's in addition to her own five children - including twin girls - as well as 10 grand-children. She will share the UK title with another mother. The larger-than-life grandmother first beat-off dozens of other entries to the Welsh title, run by pain relief company Hedex, after being nominated nom·i·nate tr.v. nom·i·nat·ed, nom·i·nat·ing, nom·i·nates 1. To propose by name as a candidate, especially for election. 2. To designate or appoint to an office, responsibility, or honor. by one of her daughters, Gillian. Jean went through with five other regional winners to compete for the UK title and the top prize of a day of luxurious pampering at a top health farm. A happy Gillian yesterday said: ``She's done it. They phoned us today. They couldn't decide between the two of them. My mum will now be picked up and taken away to get the full pampering treatment for the day. She deserves it. ``Mum has brought up five children on her own and fostered 116 over the last 23 years. She's brilliant. She's definitely a mum in a million.'' Jean, a single parent who's children are Harry, 38, Laurence, 36, Susan, 35, and twins Gillian and Amanda, 32, said yesterday: ``I had a telephone call this morning. I was sitting on the sofa with some of my children and we all stood up, shouting and screaming. ``They were all thrilled thrill v. thrilled, thrill·ing, thrills v.tr. 1. To cause to feel a sudden intense sensation; excite greatly. 2. To give great pleasure to; delight. See Synonyms at enrapture. to bits.'' She said: ``Every mum deserves to be - and should be - a mum in a million. There was very little to choose between two of us. I honestly didn't think I'd win.'' Jean is now looking forward to receiving her prize and her family are hoping the day of pampering can be arranged to coincide with her 60th birthday in October. Jean said: ``My children suggested that I could be pampered pam·per tr.v. pam·pered, pam·per·ing, pam·pers 1. To treat with excessive indulgence: pampered their child. 2. , get all relaxed and ready for my 60th birthday the next day. It'll be great - they're all chipping in. ``All the kids are chuffed chuff 1 n. A rude, insensitive person; a boor. [Middle English chuffe.] chuffed Adjective Informal .'' Jean started fostering in 1976 when she offered to help look after a friend's children. She started by taking handicapped children, then children aged between three and seven and more recently children aged from 11-16. She said: ``I'm glad I'm doing it and I would recommend it to anybody thinking about becoming a foster parent. ``I find it very rewarding - especially when they come back.'' Jean recently became a god-parent to one of her foster grandchildren and quite a few of her foster children keep in touch. She said: ``There's lots I don't see. One knocked on my door the other day and asked, `Do you remember me?' He had brought his wife and family. ``After I sat down and looked at him I did remember. He was a young man of 16 when he left me. He's now a grown man of 26 with his own family.'' CAPTION(S): THRILLED: Jean Harrison of Flint with some of her extended family who are delighted at her victory |
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