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.
CAROLYNE Martin (nee Samuels) has a lovely tale of the Swinging Sixties: ‘When we were teenagers, my two sisters and I formed a threegirl harmony group. Helen is my twin and our younger sister is Marion.
‘We lived in St Albans, Herts, and joined up with a group from Hatfield called The Tudors, whose manager was John McNamara.
‘In 1965, we entered the Melody Maker National Beat Contest at the Wimbledon Palace Theatre in London and came third.
‘The Carolines were a cross between The Hollies and The Supremes, and we toured with stars of the era, such as P.J. Proby.
‘I wrote a song when I was 15 called Love Made A Fool Of Me, recorded by Polydor Records.
‘It was re-released in 2009 on the Eclipse label on an album called The Girls Are At It Again — 1964-69, and released again this May by Cherry Records, re-named The Next Collection.
‘I’m sure The Tudors would be thrilled to hear that the song has been re-released — after all these years.
‘And it would be wonderful to get in touch with the band members again: Dave Dickenson (rhythm guitar), Keith Stone (bass), John Hostler (drums) and Roger Bevan (lead guitar).’
A FEW months ago, Karen Matthewman wrote: ‘My friends Anita and Brenda and I are looking for Enid (nee Lownes).
‘We all worked together at a ladies’ hairdressers called Maison Joy in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, during the Sixties and Seventies. It was a busy place, owned by Joy Quantock.
‘Enid was a brilliant hairdresser, entering many competitions with Anita as her model. The four of us became great friends and socialised a lot.
Enid went to Australia to work. On her return she married, had two boys and eventually moved up North. On Joy’s retirement, Anita took over the business.
‘Brenda and her husband had three children, are now grandparents and live on Canvey Island. I married and had two boys. My husband and I lived for a time in Spain and we, too, have settled on Canvey Island. Brenda, Anita and I meet regularly. It would be so special to find Enid and complete the circle of friendship begun all those years ago.’
Sadly, we have learned that Enid passed away seven years ago.
We also had this response from Jackie Hildersley: ‘I was surprised to read about a hairdresser’s I knew in Leigh-on-Sea. I wonder if Anita remembers my mother, Mrs Corpe. She did her hair for many years.’
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.