Expats abroad: Ian and Ella Fletcher in America
Ian Fletcher hails from Burton on Trent, but moved to Telford in 1995 to take a job at manufacturing company Johnston Controls, on the Stafford Park industrial estate.
Three years ago, however, he and his family uprooted to set up a new life in America, in White Lake, Michigan.
Ian begins the story in 2003: "After eight years in Telford, I changed jobs to another automotive company called Kongsberg, and it was around that time I met Ella, who is now my wife.
"She is Telford born and bred. Raised in Wellington, her parents Ben and Margaret Wallsworth still live in her childhood house in Weyman Road. Ella worked most recently before leaving the UK as an office manager in Idsall School, Shifnal, and we lived in Priorslee. We chose to move here to Michigan after my employer offered me an engineering manager's position in their USA engineering centre.
"We moved on March 23, 2011, and found a house in a township called White Lake. Our house is on a lake called Brendel Lake; we have really embraced the lakeside living, made some great friends and bought a speedboat and kayaks."
Ella has also started a new career in the US, working as an office manager for an elementary school called Haviland in a nearby city called Waterford. Ian said: "Christmas for us in Michigan this year will be a not-so-traditional roast beef dinner, but nonetheless, cooked to perfection by Ella, along with all the usual festivities and over-indulging."
