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Harley and Ann outside the Compton Arms pub in Canonbury |
Time to catch up on the past
Chance remark from a mutual friend sees two old pals pick up where they left off – in 1947
TWO good pals who lost contact with each other have been reunited after 60 years, thanks to a chance remark by a mutual friend.
Islington architect and writer Harley Sherlock, 81, and botanical artist Ann Woodhouse, 77, didn’t need the internet to communicate for the first time since 1947 – they did it all by old fashioned letters.
Harley, a founder member of the Islington Society, discovered Ann’s address after a mutual friend mentioned meeting her.
An exchange of letters led to a get together last week.
“My letter to Ann was very polite”, Harley recalled. “I said I’d like to meet her and talk over old times. But if the idea did not appeal or she was too busy then I wouldn’t be offended if she said no.”
Ann replied that she would be delighted to meet up and remembered Harley fondly.
They were fellow students and friends at the former Croydon School of Art before they went their own ways. Both were happily married and each has three children. Both lost their partners over the last few years. Ann’s husband, Michael, a respected Kent amateur cricketer, died four years ago.
Harley’s wife, Folly, a popular local activist, died in Whittington hospital two years ago.
Ann, who lives in Sevenoaks, said: “Years ago Harley and I did a lot of cycling together. My father, a local GP, used to arrange cycling treasure hunts. In those days you could cycle safely anywhere.
“When I got the letter from Harley I was absolutely astonished. He was commiserating about the loss of Michael and asked me if I wanted to meet up one day to talk about old times.”
The two finally met for the first time since college days at the Compton Arms pub in Canonbury.
She added: “What’s amazing is that he appears much the same exuberant and flamboyant chap he was in those days. He’s still full of enthusiasm and ideas.”
Ann insists there was no more to their relationship than friendship and can’t imagine ever having another partner.
Harley explained that he decided to contact Ann after a mutual friend told him that they had bumped into her and heard she’d lost her husband. He later discovered her address and decided to get in contact for old time’s sake.
He added: “I didn’t want to appear too pushy in the letter. There’s something to be said for the old fashioned courtesies.
“What was extraordinary to me was that Ann’s voice hadn’t changed one little bit.
“It’s a very young sounding voice. We had a lovely lunch at the Compton and then she said she had to get back to her sick spaniel.
“We agreed to meet up again and I’m looking forward to it.” |
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