Lichfield has left a lasting impression on one Canadian visitor – so much so that he has decided to move to the city permanently.
Artist and illustrator Robert Denton travelled to the UK to see friends in October 2012.
But the trip with his wife Stephanie had a bigger impact than either of them could have imagined.
“By the end of our visit, we did not want to go home,” he said.
“My wife and I came and visited Lichfield for six weeks and we literally fell in love with the area and the city.
“This year, we have obtained permanent resident visas and we are moving to Lichfield to live.”
Robert, who has muscular dystrophy, admitted he was impressed by the welcome he was given following his visit from his home in Canada.
“On our first trip into Lichfield to do some shopping, I was completely impressed with the fact that the city supplied me with a power wheelchair,” he said. “This kind of service does not exist anywhere in Nova Scotia.
“In addition, as we made our way through the streets, into the shops and the pubs, my wife and I were impressed with the friendliness, openness and hospitality of the people we met.
“We were also surprised at how wheelchair accessible everything was, considering the age and the history of this wonderful English city.
“It is a clean and very friendly city – we are looking forward to coming and living here.”
The couple’s initial visit was fuelled by Robert’s wife’s attempt to trace her living relatives.
They eventually found a cousin living in Lichfield and spent six weeks staying with them.
And they are now looking forward to making a permanent return, with Stephanie qualifying through dual citizenship and Robert keen to gain citizenship as soon as possible.
“We thought wholeheartedly and discussed the possibilities with Stephanie’s cousins of trying to emigrate to the UK and settle in Lichfield,” Robert explained.
“Upon returning home to Canada, we immediately started investigating what it would take to move to England. Here we are one year later, we have obtained permanent residence visas and we will be arriving in England on October 25.
“As part of living in England, my wife and I need to contribute to the community and the economy. Therefore, we will be seeking employment.
“I am an artist and an accomplished editorial cartoonist. Also, I am an animator, illustrator and graphic designer. My wife, Stephanie, has over ten years of experience in providing care to people with special needs and the elderly.
“Our hope is that we can obtain gainful employment and thereby participate fully in the community.”
