MISSING . . . AND FOUND
CAN we help reunite two old school friends?
‘I’m looking for Susan Bird, who was my friend throughout our time at South East Essex County Technical High School from 1961 to 1965,’ writes Pam Janaway, nee Causebrooke.
‘I have great memories of all the fun we had. We both played piano — Sue was much better than me! — and we came in second place playing a duet in a school music competition.
‘We went on a school trip to Germany in the fourth year and I remember us all singing Beatles songs on the train journey through France. The teachers with us were Miss Mateer, Miss Garraway, Mr Mogford and Mr Rodwell, who took us on exhausting walks in the snow, assuring us that so far only one pupil had been taken by wolves! It was also our first experience of sleeping under duvets — a real novelty.
‘Sue and I took a secretarial course at East Ham Technical College, but afterwards lost contact. I went on to become a midwife and then a health visitor, now retired.
‘A couple of years ago, I had a reunion with a few school friends. It would be great if Sue joined us for our next one, so we could catch up with her after all these years.’ AT LAST, reader Alan Whiting has been able to thank the twins who saved his life when he was a child. He says: ‘We went to a Life Boys Camp at St Mary’s Bay, Kent. One day, paddling in the sea with our leaders, my friend disappeared under the water. I tried to help, shouted and waved, but no one noticed. Finally, David and Barry Brooks saw us. Excellent swimmers, they soon had us out of the water and on the beach — we wouldn’t have lasted much longer. We went on to different secondary schools and lost touch. Recently I’ve come to fully appreciate how much I owe them.’ Darren Brooks emailed to tell us the twins are his father and uncle. ‘Dad Barry remembers the incident clearly and got emotional telling the story to his grandchildren. He lives in Norfolk and Uncle Dave lives in Hampshire.’ Alan phoned Barry and had a long chat. ‘He was so pleased and very surprised,’ says Alan. ‘I then phoned David and had the same reaction. We are meeting up soon.’
IF there is someone you’d 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 phone number. All communications answered as soon as possible. A small donation is requested for employing Gill Whitley’s services. this column is researched with the aid of www.192.com.