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. The original Playboy Club in Park Lane, London, opened in July 1966, and its 50th anniversary will be marked this summer with a grand reunion party for those who worked there until the club’s closure in 1981.
Not just the Bunnies, but managers, croupiers, chefs and office staff are all invited.
There have been a number of Playboy Club reunions so far, mostly organised by former Bunny Barbara haigh at The Grapes, the pub she owned in London’s east end.
But after she sold it (to her neighbour and friend Sir Ian McKellen), the reunions moved to the hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square.
Barbara, 66, says: ‘Inevitably, we’ve lost touch with many former employees, and we hope your column will locate as many as possible for our golden anniversary reunion at the hippodrome on July 3.
‘It will be special — even the original singing Bunnies are reforming to provide the musical entertainment!
‘I started work as a Bunny in 1971. My father was a chief superintendent in Liverpool City Police and totally disapproved. Then he and my stepmother came to London and I took them for dinner in the VIP room at Playboy.
‘They met several of the club’s directors, who came over, introduced themselves and said nice things, which put my father’s mind at rest.
‘ The camaraderie was extraordinary and my closest friends are still former Playboy staff. They were the happiest years of my life. I was there until the club closed.
‘Afterwards, I went into the licensed trade, where my Playboy training proved extremely useful. Since selling up in 2011, I’ve been retired — and loving every minute of it.’ IN NOVEMBER, Pete rowe was looking for his old friend Tony Bird.
‘he was the best man at my wedding to my wife Joyce on June 18, 1966,’ said Pete. ‘our 50th wedding anniversary is coming up and we’re planning a big party. It would make our day if Tony could be there with the bridesmaids.
‘ Tony and I did our apprenticeship together as compositors at the Broadway Press in Lewisham, South London, from 1960 until 1966.
‘We bumped into each other occasionally afterwards, but then lost touch.
‘he was — and I hope still is — a brilliant footballer. he lived in Plumstead, Southeast London, and later moved to Kent.
‘one of my lasting memories is of his singing, which was terrible! he loved The Beach Boys’ Good Vibrations and sang it all day long, much to the annoyance of everyone at work. Another funny incident was when his car broke down and his girlfriend had to get out and push.
‘he was always a good friend to me and showed great respect to Joyce and my mum. If he could be found, it would be the cherry on the cake.’
one cherry coming up! Tony emailed: ‘hello Monica, I am responding to the article in Saturday’s paper. I am the Tony Bird that Pete is looking for and I’d be pleased to make contact with him again.’
And from Pete: ‘Joyce and I would like to say a big thank you for publishing our search for Tony. We have been in touch and already made arrangements to meet.
‘This will make our 50th wedding anniversary celebrations all the better!’
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.