MISSING . . . and FOUND!
THE DAILY MAIL offers readers a unique opportunity to re-establish contact with long-lost relatives and friends. Each week, MONICA PORTER features the story of someone trying to find a missing loved one, as well as a tale of people reunited. This column is produced in conjunction with the voluntary tracing service, Searching For A Memory, run by Gill and John Whitley. John Gosden of Aylesford, Kent, tells us: ‘In september 1957, five 16-year-olds and one 18-year-old met for the first time when, as new apprentices, they were assigned to the same room in the RollsRoyce apprentice hostel at the Knoll in derby.
‘ They were myself, John shepherd from Loughton in essex, norman naylor from Liverpool, Terry Morrell from Wales, Michael Brown from sittingbourne in Kent and Peter Beaumont from London.
‘ I’m still in touch with norman and Pete, but believe that Terry died at a young age and have lost touch with John shepherd and Mick Brown.
‘I’d love to hear from John and Mick if they’re still around, and also any information about Terry.
My photo shows, standing ( from left): norman, John shepherd, John Gosden and Pete, and sitting down (from left) Mick and Terry.
‘The Knoll was a melting pot of boys from different backgrounds. Friendships were made which, in some cases, have lasted almost 60 years. We learned about coexisting in harmony in circumstances not unlike the boarding schools of the era, but with more freedom.
‘The Knoll was run by the Warden, Mr haxby, who was also the deputy training manager at Rolls-Royce.
‘We learned to drink beer, ride motorbikes and ballroom dance (with the aim of meeting young ladies). After a year at the Knoll we moved into individual lodgings. Good days with happy memories.
‘Afterwards, as a RollsRoyce-trained draughtsman, I had no problems getting a job, which happened to be in the new plastics industry, until retiring in 2006.’ you will recall our item about London’s original Playboy Club on Park Lane, which next month celebrates the 50th anniversary of its opening with a grand party for those who worked there until the club’s closure in 1981.
Former Bunnies, managers, croupiers, chefs and office staff are all invited, said organiser Barbara haigh, an ex-Bunny.
‘ our golden anniversary reunion at the hippodrome Casino in Leicester square will be special — even the original singing Bunnies are re-forming to provide musical entertainment!’
Barbara joined Playboy in 1971 and over the years served cocktails to scores of famous actors, pop stars, sports stars and aristocrats. she once turned down a date with omar sharif. ‘The camaraderie was extraordinary and they were the happiest years of my life,’ she says.
Afterwards she became a successful publican and restaurateur with her awardwinning pub, The Grapes. in Limehouse, east London.
happily, we have garnered a bevy of former Bunnies for the upcoming shindig. Trisha Piacun emails: ‘ My friend Louise and I were both Bunnies when it first opened. We’d love to attend the reunion.’
ex-Bunnies Marilyn osborn, Pamela Todd, Jane nevin, Mary Messer and Maggie simons also got in touch and are keen to attend.
And denise Irace writes: ‘I was the London club’s first Chinese Bunny, known as su-Lin. When my local paper in singapore interviewed me and put me on the front page, my parents ordered me back home! I’ll definitely be celebrating with ex-colleagues.’ IF THERE is someone you would like to trace, write to Gill Whitley, 1 Newbrook house, New hall Lane, Preston, Pr1 5Pe, enclosing an SAe, or send an email to monica.porter@dailymail. co.uk — including a contact phone number. All communications will be answered as soon as possible. this column is researched with the aid of Peopletracer (www.peopletracer.co.uk). A small donation will be requested for employing Gill Whitley’s services.