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Smiling Eyes Marion and Ron were childhood sweethearts. Seventy-seven years later they met and fell in love... Marian Rudd has happy memories of her school days in Burnley back in the 1920's. They wrote on a slate with chalk and she remembers learning to plait raffia which was nailed to the wall.
She and Ron were always top of the form, but they were also the best of pals. They would share what money they had to buy sweets together. Ron remembers Marian as a lovely little girl. She always had a ribbon in her hair and wore a piny, and she had lovely twinkling eyes.
When they left infant school, their paths didn't cross and their lives moved on. More than seventy years later, Ron and his son decided to go to the Lakes for a holiday. They made a stop in Burnley out of sheer nostalgia and, wondering around a bookshop, Ron's son called, 'Did you ever know Marian Rudd?'
Ron remembered Marian well but couldn't believe that it was the same one and that she was still alive. However, the shop assistant not only knew Marian but had her phone number.
Marian received a call from Ron that evening. She had no idea who he was, but he sounded genuine and nice, so she agreed to meet him for dinner. Her neighbour said,
'You're not going are you?' at which Marian says,
'I felt a bit of a tart the way she said it!' They spent the evening chatting, reminiscing (or trying to, Marian had no memory of Ron) and holding hands. Marian mentioned that she was going on holiday alone to Guernsey in a couple of weeks time. A few days later Ron rang to ask if she'd object to him meeting her there. They split up from their respective groups and spent their days getting to know each other.
After a holiday in Malta, Ron and Marian decided that they would like to be married. Both now in their eighties, they look forwards to years of happiness, growing into 'funny old sticks' together. They can't believe their good fortune in having found one another.
More information:
'Looking Back on a Lifetime in Old Burnley'
by Marian Rudd is published by Hudson History, Proctor House, Kirkgate, N Yorks. BD24 9DZ.
e.mail: [email protected]
Which childhood alliance would you like to re-kindle?
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