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. Mary Hodgson writes: ‘I should dearly love to trace any of the receptionists I worked with from 1957 to 1959 at the University arms Hotel in Cambridge.
‘The hotel (now demolished) was owned by the Bradford brothers who had been PoWs in Japan. There were about ten receptionists when I worked there and, as my photo shows, without computers or calculators, we worked out figures on paper.
‘as Cambridge’s premier hotel, we had many famous guests — visitors to the university and newmarket races, and sportspeople from around the world. We felt very privileged, as we lived and dined at the hotel and had a private sitting room where we could entertain friends when not working shifts.
‘We spent much of our time dodging the fearsome night porter who would collect guests’ shoes from outside their rooms for cleaning. Food was not plentiful in the Fifties, so we really appreciated our meals in the dining room.
‘as the owners had a pheasant shoot in norfolk, game often featured on the menu. But for us it was: “oh no, not pheasant again!”
‘ This was an interesting start to my working life but soon I became a B.o.a.C. stewardess to see the world.
‘ Before the 1975 sex discrimination act, marriage meant giving up work. so after my wedding, I ran a guest house in somerset then worked for the national Trust, where retirement came at 65.
‘But retirement was not for me, and I got part-time work at race courses near my home in guildford, surrey.
‘I’m now 78 years old and work at royal ascot, which is the highlight of my summer.’ BaCk in april, sue Powell told us her story: ‘In 1964, when my husband keith and I married, we moved into a flat in Maidstone, kent.
‘The apartment above was occupied by three young men — John stanley, david Harris and Vince ready. We all became very good friends and have kept in touch over the decades . . . except for Vince.
‘He has been very elusive, although we’ve caught up with him from time to time. He admits he has “itchy feet”.
‘We last saw him in Bristol in 1972, which is where my photo was taken. Vince is wearing dark glasses, standing with keith and our two children. He was living there then, and we were in Billericay, Essex.
‘We were in touch for a while, then he went off the radar until 1985, when we located him in Perth, australia. He wrote to say he was having a house parents builtwere movingand that from the his Uk to join him there.
‘Then all went quiet again. In 1998 keith and I were going to Perth for a family wedding so wrote to Vince. My letter was returned marked “never lived at this address”. a mystery. Where in the world is Vince now? We hope you might find the answer for us.’ our column has indeed helped pin down the elusive Vince ready. ready for this? He has been in south-west France for the past ten years. ‘I’m glad to say he is pleased to be “found”,’ says sue. ‘We have only exchanged emails so far but hope to meet up at some stage. Many thanks!’ 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.