Paul Bowler

Paul's main reason for doing the 1900 House was to support Joyce. She had supported him in his job with the Royal Marines, moving 13 times over the years as he progressed through the ranks. As Paul says: "This was my way of giving her support to achieve what she wanted to do."

Paul was born in Chesterfield in 1959. He joined the Royal Marines at the age of 16 and has since progressed to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 as a specialist in communications.

His interests in 1999 are mountaineering, running, swimming and sailing. He has ten months left in the Marines and is looking for a second career.

Joyce Bowler

Of all the family, it was Joyce who most wanted to live in the 1900 House. The attraction was to go on unique adventure with her family, travelling back to a time which, although relatively recent in the history books, was almost unimaginable in terms of day-to-day life.

Joyce was born in South West London. She left school at the age of 18 to train as a teacher and in 1979 married Paul. She has five children* and returned to work when the youngest, Joseph, started school. Joyce is now an under Advisor for Somerset Social Services and also works for OFSTED as a Registered Nursey Inspector.

Her interests in 1999 life are walking, running, reading, dancing, music and talking.

* Joyce and Paul's eldest daughter, Connie, decided not to join her family in the 1900 House, instead she remained in Taunton, looking after the family home and continuing with her job as Assistant Manager at the local branch of Oddbins.

Kathryn

Kathryn's interest in the 1900 House was, like her mother's, the adventure and the challenge of time travel. She was also attracted by the chance to live very closely with her family for three months. Aged 17, Kathryn was born in Exeter. She went to boarding school at the age of eight and then was a pupil at Bishop Fox's Community school in Taunton where she took her A-levels this summer.

Her interests in 1999 include club music, reading, dancing, performing and the theatre, clubbing and socialising.

Hilary

Hilary, aged 11 and a pupil at Duke of York's Military School, is Ruth's twin. Her interests in 1999 include watercolour painting, reading, singing, swimming, sport, violin and music.

Living in 1900, she says she would miss the indoor toilet most, but is looking forward to 3 months without 'stupid TV adverts'.

Ruth

Ruth, like her twin Hilary, is a pupil at Duke of York's Military School, and is 11 years old.

Her interests in 1999 include reading, singing, swimming, netball, music, violin and having fun. Ruth thinks she will miss her CD player and television most.

Joe

In 1999 Joe loves computer games, football, TV, making things, Lego, and asking for a dog. He's going to miss his computer and his television the most, along with his bedside lamp and duvet! Joe is looking forward to three months without Spice Girls Music, but is a little afraid he may have to go up chimneys.

Joe is 9 years old and is a pupil at Edington School.