Morecambe mum has 16th baby - and tells husband she wants another one

3:07pm Thursday 29th November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Emma Lidiard

Sue, 36, husband Noel and children Chris, 23, Sophie, 18, Chloe, 17, Jack, 15, Daniel, 13, Luke, 12, Millie, 11, Katie, 10, James, nine, Ellie, seven, Aimee, six, Josh, five, Max, three, Tillie, two, one-year-old Oscar, and (inset) new arrival Casper Sue, 36, husband Noel and children Chris, 23, Sophie, 18, Chloe, 17, Jack, 15, Daniel, 13, Luke, 12, Millie, 11, Katie, 10, James, nine, Ellie, seven, Aimee, six, Josh, five, Max, three, Tillie, two, one-year-old Oscar, and (inset) new arrival Casper

ONE of Britain’s biggest families has become a little bit larger with the arrival of another child.

Former Kirkbie Kendal School pupil Sue Radford has had her 16th baby and has told husband Noel she wants another.

Casper was born weighing 8lb 8oz after a labour that only lasted 16 minutes.

He will live in the nine-bedroom former care home in Morecambe along with his six sisters and nine brothers.

“Casper has settled in like a dream. He's so good and such a placid baby - he only cries when he's hungry or when he's being changed,” Mrs Radford said on her online blog.

“All of his brothers and sisters love him so much and are constantly asking to cuddle him so he's definitely not short of cuddles.”

The 36-year-old had her first child when she was 14, giving birth to Chris, who is now 23, then came Sophie, 18, Chloe, 17, Jack, 15, Daniel, 13, Luke, 12, Millie, 11, Katie, 10, James, nine, Ellie, seven, Aimee, six, Josh, five, Max, three, Tillie, two, and one-year-old Oscar.

“I just love kids,” she said. “People stare, you can see them counting the kids. Some think they won’t get the attention they need. They don’t realise how dedicated we are.”

Mrs Radford works alongside her husband, 41, at his Heysham bakery Faradays. However, she said many people assumed they were living off benefits.

They also have their first grandchild on the way.

She said now Casper is settled into family life they are all looking forward to Christmas. “I cant wait to see their little faces on Christmas morning,” said Mrs Radford. “I love our big family, Christmas is so special and makes us realise just how lucky we are to have what we have.”

Each day the family eats three loaves, more than two boxes of cereal, at least three packets of biscuits and go through 18 pints of milk. Over Christmas they consume 48 Yorkshire puddings, half-a-gallon of gravy and 90 turkey sandwiches.

Comments(41)

Peter Sheep says...
5:06pm Thu 29 Nov 12

I'm sure they are all very nice people but how grossly irresponsible to have so many children when it is well known that over-population is a huge, and growing, environmental problem.

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zaney5 says...
5:30pm Thu 29 Nov 12

I did see them on TV when they appeared in a documentary - earlier this year I think? And yes, they did come across as very nice, responsible people who obviously care about their children.

But that said, I have to agree with the above comment.

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Lakeuk says...
7:00pm Thu 29 Nov 12

What's wrong with having a large family that can support themselves?

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Whinfell says...
7:07pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Just what we need in an ever overcrowded world;a family bringing 16 children into the world.
and they are proud of themselves!
What do you mean they are supporting themselves?
What about 16 lots of child benefit every month funded from our hard earned tax.
Its a good job most people are not so thoughtless, otherwise the World would have run out of resources years ago.

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Kendmoor says...
8:18pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Congratulations to them on their newborn. I have children of my own and I take my hat off to them for coping with more than the norm!

Lucky that not all of us see a negative take on things, there is nothing to say that one or more of these youngsters doesn't go on to do great things!

Whinfell, it would be 14 lots..not 16 ;)
And what is meant by supporting themselves is that they are still paying into the tax system, as both of them work in their family owned bakery. They've also brought 16 more taxpayers into the world too!

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Whinfell says...
9:20pm Thu 29 Nov 12

So what is so positive about it!
The World is overcrowded.We have finite resources.
Why is it a positive thing to have so many children.
Talk about only seeing things from your own point of view.
Surely we all have to be more responsible and take into account the wider picture of overpopulation
What is positive about tax payers funding 16 children at huge expense over the endless years we have to fund them.
And they want another one!
Ridiculous

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Kendmoor says...
10:12pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Overpopulation is *completely* debatable. I think perhaps it is you who are having trouble seeing views from other angles! Other than the dubious overpopulation argument you seem to focus only on money..making assumptions on how much we are "supporting" them. There are people who choose to live their lives differently than you or I and its not somthing you are ever going to change so best not to get too hot under the collar about it! There are far more things that sap our taxes than a family! Stop assuming you're supporting them. If I owned a buisness I might pop a few more out just to annoy you ;)

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wezzyk says...
10:23pm Thu 29 Nov 12

Whingefell ... Absolute tosh, these people are a very hard working nice family that probably pay much, much more than most back into the system. An absolute credit to the parents, they should be recognised for their parenting skills as many parents today cant cope or are not safe with one or two and i assume it is your own (and only you) point of view that parents can only have how many children?. Peter Sheep... overpopulated yes maybe - but with immigrants and hangers on - environmental issues such as? all of which can be refuted and ignored when it suits the right people... PAH what a load of nonsense from all you whingers this story is a celebration of a new life!

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Whinfell says...
4:39am Fri 30 Nov 12

How do you know they are a credit to their parents?Do you know this family?
What a waste of taxpayers money funding this family with years of child benefit.
I can think of better ways of spending our taxes than supporting such a ridiculously large family.
I'm glad you think its public money well spent.
I don't

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Ladyxxmacbeth says...
8:22am Fri 30 Nov 12

Congraulations to them, but the maths doesn't add up. If Sue is 36 and and her eldest is 23 that makes her 12 when she had him. So she wasn't a pupil at Kirkbie Kendal for long!!
Good for them. If you don't like people having children go and lve in China I don't mind!

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Whinfell says...
8:46am Fri 30 Nov 12

Not only are they getting more than their fair share of Child Benefit,their Council Tax ,Income Tax and National Insurance contributions are not commensurate with the benefits they are recieving for the health and education costs they are deliberatly incurring.
So China recognises they are facing huge poplation problems and is trying to address the problem.
At least they are not burying their heads in the sand!

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emmielou says...
10:29am Fri 30 Nov 12

Whinge, Whinge bloomin Whinge, this is a family that WORK in their own business not scrounging of the government left, right and centre, its their own house therefore not getting council benifits and im sure they pay plenty in council tax the size of the house. Just be happy for them. Years gone by it was the norm to have a lot of children so why is it frowned upon so much now a days? IF they were getting every single benefit possible, with everything paid for them then yes whinge about it but they are not. Get over your selves all those on your high horse, I for one would love to be a fly on their wall at christmas i bet with all those little ones in there and all the love in that house it would be fantastic. Good Luck to them x

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Peter Sheep says...
11:06am Fri 30 Nov 12

wezzyk - the planet is over-populated, not just the UK, so I don't share your view on immigration.
It is an environmental problem because each child requires food, drink, clothing etc, each child produces additional waste for landfill, which is a drain on the planet's finite resources.
If you want to look at it from a local perspective, within the next 20 years each of these kids will grow up and will want a place to live. That places extra pressures on local authorities to find more room for housing. Which, in line with proposals currently being consulted on, means more green countryside in the area being built on.
Yes it was the norm for people to have families in previous centuries, but kids were, in effect, their parents' pensions in those days. Also, infant mortality was a lot higher in those days. With our current knowledge of environmental pressures we should know better than to produce such large families.

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zaney5 says...
1:10pm Fri 30 Nov 12

"And what is meant by supporting themselves is that they are still paying into the tax system, as both of them work in their family owned bakery. They've also brought 16 more taxpayers into the world too!"

As long as they inherit their parents work ethic they have. Otherwise they've brought 16 more people for the state to fund into this world.

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Whinfell says...
1:40pm Fri 30 Nov 12

Well said Peter Sheep.
Some people cannot see beyond the end of their own noses though.
All they care about is their own selfish needs.

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Kendmoor says...
2:37pm Fri 30 Nov 12

16 more chances that sombody can find a cure for a crippling disease or a new way to GM food to sustain a nation, you're still looking at a situation you have *no* control over, the wrong way. Very stubborn!
Totally going to have another child and call it Whinfell now ;)

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Grumpy in Grange says...
4:03pm Fri 30 Nov 12

To imply she is not receiving benefits is a little disingenuous I suspect.

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WilliamT says...
4:40pm Fri 30 Nov 12

This is clearly a very bad thing. There are indeed too many people already, and one day there will have to be laws against such irresponsible 'baby farming'.

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Adam_Kendal says...
5:04pm Fri 30 Nov 12

I happen to know the family and what a fantastic family they are, the kids are growing up with respect for their elders, which lets face it is sadly missing in the youth these days. They are polite and cautious added to which they have a work-ethic instilled in them from a young age. These kids will go far!

Credit to Sue, she is doing a far better job at motherhood with fifteen (now sixteen) children than many mothers out there today with only one or two kids!

At least they are having kids knowing they can support them financially, unlike many who simply shoot them out for a bigger house.

Well done to them all, I wish them years of happiness!

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Peter Sheep says...
5:09pm Fri 30 Nov 12

That somewhat misses the point Adam.
It matters little how nice and well behaved they are. The problem is their number.

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Whinfell says...
6:51pm Fri 30 Nov 12

Kendmoor's statement is one of the most idiotic I have ever read on a forum site.
It is completely ridiculous.
Please tell me you aren't being serious Kendmoor.

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Kendmoor says...
7:35pm Fri 30 Nov 12

I'm going to have another, just to annoy you - and call it Whinfell.

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Whinfell says...
8:44pm Fri 30 Nov 12

Yes, you cracked that 'joke' last time and it wasn't funny then.
A prime example why we should limit the number of children being inflicted on this overpoulated world.

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I know nothing says...
8:56pm Fri 30 Nov 12

At least they are born and bred here, unlike some large families who have never paid a penny into the system.

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Kendmoor says...
9:23pm Fri 30 Nov 12

Ahh, you're no fun Whinfell! Though your argument for lack of humour being a case for population limiting whilst yourself being devoid of any seems a little ..self-deafting!

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WilliamT says...
11:31am Sat 1 Dec 12

Any mention of babies or dogs brings out the nutters. The problem would be easy to solve: halve benefit for 3rd child, 1/4 for 4th, none after that, and be ready for the cry "we must not make the children suffer!" which is always used for anything to do with children.

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Whinfell says...
7:37pm Sat 1 Dec 12

'16 more chances that sombody can find a cure for a crippling disease or a new way to GM food to sustain a nation, you're still looking at a situation you have *no* control over, the wrong way. Very stubborn!' says Kendmoor

I see what you mean about this subject bringing out the nutters.

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Moonbase says...
7:53am Sun 2 Dec 12

Wish my wife had a sex drive like that!!!!

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Kendmoor says...
10:13am Sun 2 Dec 12

LOL!

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onelocal says...
11:39am Sun 2 Dec 12

Moonbase wrote:
Wish my wife had a sex drive like that!!!!
Maybe she does!!! Perhaps the problem lies elsewhere. LOL

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Moonbase says...
12:15pm Sun 2 Dec 12

onelocal wrote:
Moonbase wrote:
Wish my wife had a sex drive like that!!!!
Maybe she does!!! Perhaps the problem lies elsewhere. LOL
I don't know,i've living proof and a bank balance to prove it!!! Lol

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wartonsuperman1 says...
8:29pm Sun 2 Dec 12

Irresponsible.

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Whinfell says...
1:57pm Mon 3 Dec 12

wartonsuperman1 says...
8:29pm Sun 2 Dec 12

Irresponsible.”

Yep! You have summed it up in one word.
And she wants another one!
This story beggars belief in this day and age of overpopulation,scarc
e public funds and finite energy resources.

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WilliamT says...
2:18pm Mon 3 Dec 12

It's like compound interest- the (soon to be) grandmother starts shelling them out young and keeps going, and the numerous offspring begin to see baby farming as a viable 'lifestyle choice'. Permanent pregnancy may have had some merits in the mean streets of horrifying early industrial towns when all the babies died of TB, other infections, rickets, scurvy etc.- it is a very bad idea when almost all babies survive.

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Adam_Kendal says...
4:16pm Mon 3 Dec 12

Peter Sheep wrote:
That somewhat misses the point Adam. It matters little how nice and well behaved they are. The problem is their number.
How is that missing the point? They are been raised with work ethic so when they grow up they will know they need to work and no doubt contribute to society, unlike many of the "dossers" born into this work who will instead sponge off society.

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zaney5 says...
5:01pm Mon 3 Dec 12

Adam_Kendal wrote:
Peter Sheep wrote:
That somewhat misses the point Adam. It matters little how nice and well behaved they are. The problem is their number.
How is that missing the point? They are been raised with work ethic so when they grow up they will know they need to work and no doubt contribute to society, unlike many of the "dossers" born into this work who will instead sponge off society.
I assume that when you say they are being raised with a work ethic then it means they see their parents going out to work everyday so therefore that's what they will do.

If only it was that simple.

Who's to say that by the time they are of an age when they need to go out to work, jobs might be even harder to come by than they already are now. What then? What good is a work ethic if you can't get work?

Also what about possible future health issues that would put even more of a strain on our burdening healthcare system?

As it's already been pointed out, we live in an over populated world. All I can say is thank god 16 children per family isn't the norm!

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Kendmoor says...
6:19pm Mon 3 Dec 12

Again, its all debateable there is plenty of info on how over-populated the planet is or isn't and in what ways on the interwebz..whether 16 more english born children are causing more damage than uncounted illegal immigrants..ageing populations living longer....internatio
nal companies not paying their share..other countries with higher birthrates (and not stable or in decline populaions)...list goes on..So many issues that can effect both economy and ecology, that to get so hot under the collar about the rare cases in the uk where families exceed the norm is kinda daft.

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KingofGrasmere says...
11:53am Wed 5 Dec 12

Id sooner have nice people than people moaning all the time! Your causing global warming with all the hot air you are breathing!

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WilliamT says...
1:46pm Wed 5 Dec 12

It is clearly not possible to debate this matter seriously with silly people whose view is 'I don't care how many children people have because it's not going to affect me'. They should spare a thought for their own children and grandchildren.

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Spotty Fish says...
3:48pm Wed 5 Dec 12

I think, William T, that perhaps you are the silly one for getting so upset about this family. It is one family out of millions. It is not a choice that many parents take, most of us are happy and indeed grateful for 2 kids, maybe 3. You also make a huge assumption that all these children will go on to have large families of their own. Do you have evidence that this will happen? Just chill man.

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Kendmoor says...
6:44pm Wed 5 Dec 12

WilliamT, I don't think anybody here has expressed that view, but you're welcome to believe what you will. Like you say though, it is a hard debate to carry on when people jump to conclusions.

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