Expats abroad: Alan and Frances Wilde in New Zealand

It's thanks to the Shropshire Star that they are together in the first place, having originally met through the newspaper's Heart to Heart section back in January 1993.

A lot has changed since then. Twelve years ago, Alan and his family relocated from the UK to the town of Cambridge, in the heart of New Zealand's North Island.

And today, preparations were under way for a Christmas Day lunch with a difference . . . a sun-drenched barbecue on the beach.

Alan said: "We really love living in Cambridge. Initially we lived here for six years before moving with work to Melbourne but missed Cambridge so much that after two-and-a-half years we moved back."

Originally from the Alberbury area, west of Shrewsbury, Alan moved south with partner Frances, 49, and daughter Catherine, 17, in 2001. Their son, Samuel, arrived the following year – a true Kiwi.

"I work as a tractor technician travelling around the countryside repairing farm machinery," Alan explained. "The scenery is often very beautiful and wild, which makes up for the gravel roads. These roads are quiet and you may not see another car for miles. The machinery here is modern, though, and I do not feel I am missing out on the latest developments."

Frances works as a care assistant, while Catherine and now 11-year-old Samuel are both at school in Cambridge, also attending St John, scouts, swimming, and dancing.

"They have more opportunities to try different sports, where taking part is the main objective.

"Our house is a lovely detached single storey building which compares to the semi-detached house we lived in, in the UK.

"The weather is more pleasant than Shropshire with few frosts and no snow, but the sun is very strong and the rain can be very heavy."

Alan hails from the village of Alberbury, near Shrewsbury, and was brought up on the White Abbey Farm by parents Ron and Mary Wilde who still live in the village.

Two of his brothers, David and James, still farm The White Abbey and Upper farm at Criggion.

Alan, 49, attended Ford Primary School and Mary Webb School, Pontesbury, leaving in 1980, and his early career as a mechanic was at the former Crew Green garage for Rodney engineering, Severn Engineering and Dennis Pryce.

"After two spells working in the Antarctic I returned to work for Oakleys Agriculture at St Michael's Street depot and Ravenhill Farm Services in Battlefield before emigrating in 2001," Alan said.

"I knew many people in the farming community and agricultural contractors.

"For the first time this year we will be spending Christmas with family. My youngest brother Andrew and his family are visiting New Zealand, so will be with us for Christmas Day. There will be a barbecue with dinner on the patio and for Boxing Day, a day at the beach.

"The Shropshire Star is on our computer's favourite list. We regularly check on news from Shropshire and Mid Wales. I particularly keep an eye on Shrewsbury Town's results.

"Frances and I owe a lot to the Shropshire Star as we met through the Heart to Heart section in one of the very first editions in January 1993."

So what exactly do the couple miss about Shropshire? "I was a member of Alberbury Young Farmers Club, rising to the position of chairman in 1988-89," said Alan.

"I made many friends in other clubs around the county events and competitions.

"The Windmill Pub at Rowton on the Shrewsbury-Welshpool road was my favourite meeting place, and I recall having many a good night there. My other passion was Shrewsbury Town football club – I still hold many happy memories of standing on the Riverside.

"The last place we lived in Shropshire was in Myddle Hill. My daughter Catherine attend Myddle Primary School for two years in 2000-01."

Frances, meanwhile, attended Meole Brace Secondary School leaving in 1981, and both of her parents still live in Shropshire."

But the family point to many benefits of living in New Zealand.

"There are fewer people, there's less traffic, and less stress," Alan said.

"The people are more laid back and easy going. There are more opportunities for the children academically and socially plus there are great variety of sports available for them to take part in.

"I don't miss the cold damp days in winter but on the other side the sun is very strong here in summer and can give you sunburn in a matter of minutes.

"In Myddle we had a three-bedroom semi-detached house but here we have built a large single storey house backing onto green fields.

"The downside to living here comes mainly at Christmas time when we really miss family and the whole Christmas atmosphere.

"Being the middle summer, the Christmas lights do not have the same effect, there's no fire to sit around, it's too hot to have the traditional turkey dinner and there's no football on Boxing Day!

"On the plus side, we can go to the beach on Boxing Day, but we do miss some foods like Walker's Crisps, Penguin biscuits and Morrison's doughnuts."

Alan said: "The whole family would like to send our best wishes for a Merry Christmas to all our family and friends in Shropshire and Mid Wales – particularly in Alberbury and Myddle."