A friend I've never met

During the millenium year a letter dropped into (my then children's) school office. From a gentleman who had lived in the local area of Beckenham, and attended Marian Vian School circa 1930/1931. He had wanted to share some memories with the school of his time there. I was the PTA Chairperson back then and got into a conversation with our then Headmaster, Jim Eshelby and as a result I asked if I could write back on behalf of the school.

Cliff's memories were shared with the school and through more letters over the next few years we found out more of his time in the area, how he saw the great Crystal Palace burn that fateful night, how Hitler's bomb displaced them on the night of Nov 30th 1940 when 2 people lost their lives. Cliff and his family survived, sleeping under a stout Oak kitchen table , while the house collapsed around them. He explained what is was like to be a child in the 1930's in South London, a fascinating heartfelt insight.

I remember taking my girls along the route from our house (which was very close to where he had lived) and taking a series of pictures so he could see how it all looked now (this was pre google maps!!!).

This all sound like it's going to have a gloomy end and I am writing an ode de memoire (?) but no.... I have been digging out some old scrapbooks and I have just found my Cliff's letter Scrapbook. Because all these years later we are still in contact and I do owe him a slightly belated (hang head in shame)

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY.

We write more now by e mail via his daughter (thank you Brenda) as he now enjoys life in a retirement village with a beautiful Australian Ocean view and has a gorgeous family of 4 generations over there in Oz.

I will always treasure my book of hand written memories to e mails, but it is so simple to send pictures and a quick note to keep in touch these days. I will even now, on the odd occasion still put pen to paper to write a letter, but it becomes less often as time goes by, even more reason to keep all my letters very safe. And remind myself of the special people I have met through writing - A bit like Blip :)