Peggy and me, aged 15, on a day trip to Southend with my mum and dad.

Do anyone remember Clifford Fox? Well, he married my best friend from school, and through Friends Reunited I have had contact with her. Some members from the boys school may remember Cliff, and might be interested that they have six children and 13 grand children. Peggy is 70 in October and she’s invited my husband Neil and I to her birthday lunch, so I will meet her very large family. I am very excited about it. We had lost touch for over 35 years.

28th October, 2007– We set off at about 11 a.m. and the traffic wasn’t too bad until, because we were on the Southend Road, we found ourselves in Canvey Island and Southend traffic. However, we turned off left into Wickford and found our way to the Chichester Hotel where we were all meeting. We found ourselves in a bit of a quandary, as there was no booking for a Mr. & Mrs. Fox. I was asked whether the booking could be in another name, and we discovered one in the name of Jackie who is Peggy’s youngest daughter, so panic over. I saw a familiar face and said ‘Phyllis?’ but it was Peg’s youngest sister Iris, with Phyllis right behind her. It was great to see them again after so many years and there were hugs all round.

Peggy and Kathy

They told me that Peggy was outside, so I knew she was entering the building. I don’t think I would have recognised her had I not known she was there, well it had been 40 years since we last met. Then all her family started to arrive and she introduced me to all of them. Remember there were six children and other halves and all the 13 grandchildren, and to be honest I couldn’t get my head round the fact that all these wonderful people belonged to Peggy and Cliff. It was amazing.

Drinks were served and then we were all ushered into the dining room. Peggy, Iris and Phyllis sat opposite me and I made Cliff sit beside me. The food was excellent and a great deal of choice. Of course, the four of us caught up on all the old times, plus what had happened to us over the years. It was a really lovely lunch time and we promised it wouldn’t be another 40 years before we meet up again. – Kathy