Page 4 - link magazine

4 TOOTH ILL
Mother and son reunite after 47 years
A remarkable family reunion took
place just before Christmas when
Joan Hillard-Reid from Beaulieu
Close, Toothifi met her son Kieth
again for the first time in 47 years.
4 Re-wiring, Showers
Kieth, who was taken to South
4 Extra sockets Africa in 1947, thought his mother
+ Security Lighting had been killed in the war. Joan kept
+ Affordable Prices her memories to herself for over 40
+ No Call Out Fee years and did not believe she would
ever see him again.
First Class Work But life took on a new excitement
by Qualified Engineer for 76-year-old Joan since Kieth sur-
prised her with a telephone call on 6
Phone Lee November.
on Swindon 763177 A chance remark by Keith's wife
to his only surviving British relative
Youngsters at Oliver Tomkins in late 1992 eventually led to the
PN %M A VAN School put on two well known chil- after a search via the Red Cross. glad to find her son again
Joan Hillard-Reed
joyful reunion justbefore Christmas
dren's stories just before Christmas.
The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe,
The story caught media imagina- things he told Joan was that he still
who gives the and the Christmas Church Mouse tion and Joan with Chris, her son had a scar on his leg caused by a hot
best prices & service he can! were big hits with parents and from her second marriage, and his water bottle in his pram when he
friends who attended.
Large or small, we move it all wife Janet, who also live in Toothill, was a baby 50 years ago.
Players in the The Lion, Witch and the
+ Single items to full house Wardrobe: the children sitting, from were trailed to Heathrow by TV "l've felt guilty about that bum all
crews on 22 December. There they these years," said Joan. "But all is
+ Storage facilities available left, Philip McAllister, Anne-Marie were met by reporters and cameras forgiven. It's wonderful to have
+ House clearances Neate, Caroline Hamilton, Anthony from national papers and TV com- him back."
undertaken Edwards, The Witch Sophie Mayes, panies to capture the happy event.
+ Rubbish removed cheaper Aslan the Lion Sean Tanner, the Hags, "ltwasa real scrum," saidjoan. "I
Rebecca Tomkins and Gemma Williams
than skip hire didn't realise there would be so Junior come back
Congratulations to Jean Acton, much interest. I lost count of how Toothill's junior youth dub for 6 to
For immediate response, 59, from Alnwick, Toothill who was many interviews I gave whilst we 12 year olds makes a welcome re-
call Andy
awarded an Open University waited Kieth's flight to arrive. turn to the Toothill Farm Centre on
Tel: 0793 - 828576 Science Degree after8years study, "The airport gave us a room so Thursday 13 January.
Mob: 0836 - 204105
just before Christmas that we could meet Kieth privately. It ran for 12 weeks during the
We hugged each other and he said 'I autumn, but organisers hope to
love you.' It was so lovely." make the club a permanent feature.
NO MORE RON AHRENS Kieth, contracted to a magazine However, more volunteers are
in South Africa, refused to pose for needed to supervise and organise
PAINTING BUILDER photographs with his mum. activities for children. If you can
DECORATOR He did admit that one of the first help, call Pam Pixton on 695317.
Maintenance Free
uPVC Fascia Boards Specialising in all aspects
of high quality building Has Christmas left you hard up?
Cladding and Guttering
work especially decorating, No one is looking forward to the bills that always arrive after Christmas.
Expert fitting at DIY prices carpentry & plastering. But there's a way of saving and borrowing which does not cost you an arm
Buy direct from the fitters and a leg says Maeve Whiteight of the Toothill Credit Union
All work guaranteed.
and save £Ws Why not join your local Credit Un- about what we can offer?
No job too small. ion, where you can save as little as We would like to thank Rev.
The Fitting Crew Free estimates SOp per week You won't miss it and George Gibson and the Toothill
For a FREE quote Telephone: 692134 you can borrow money when emer- Church Committeeforiettingususe
the room.
gencies arise.
Tel: 827494 anytime - (West Swindon) All savings are covered by a free The Credit Union also holds a
life insurance policy as well as in- collection every Thursday evening
surance against robbery and em- atToothifi Community Centre, 7pm
NEW KITCHENS & BEDROOMS bezzlement. Credit Unions are rec- - 8pm.
ommended as a good way of saving Toothill Credit Union is one of a
UPVC WINDOWS & DOORS and borrowing by the National Con- growing number in Britain where
sumer Council and theyare closely membership, assets and loans
CARPENTRY & ALL TYPES OF JOINERY monitored by the Registrar of granted have risen rapidly.
Friendly Societies. Growth has been largely due to
+ All kitchen units supplied rigid
Therateofinterestis 1% permonth the hard work and dedication of
•' Replacement kitchen doors supplied (12.68% APR) nearlyhaif the cost of the volunteer members.
cheapest alternative lender. Unlike More volunteers are always
+ Fully fitted bedrooms other financial organisations, the needed, so if you have any spare
+ UPVC windows & doors supplied and fitted interest rate is fixed. time and you would like to learn a
From Thursday 6 January, the useful skill, such as cashiering or
+ Over 15 years experience Toothill Credit Union will be meet- book-keeping, meet plenty of peo-
ing in Toothill Church between pie and do somethingusefulforyour
• Free consultation without any obligation
10.30am to 1130am. It coincides community, then contact your local
Telephone Phil Barrett on with the coffee morning at the Credit Union.
Church. Why not come along, have Formore information ring Maeve
(0793) 873003 a cup of coffee and find out more Whiteight, 641550.