I HAVE just been on holiday at Weymouth and had a day in Wimborne.

What a change there.

Many more houses and shops but only one still recognisable from the days of war when I was evacuated there.

I stayed with my aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Lush, at 3 East Street and went to school at St John’s where I made many friends. After the war I made many regular visits to the town until my aunt and uncle died and since then my visits have been few.

Every time I have seen no.3 since, it has been used for something different. This time it was a cafe, so the ideal place to go in and have a look at the place. What a difference. The walls have been knocked down and no sign of a tobacconist shop now.

The two girls running the place were so friendly. They allowed me to look over the whole building to see what they had done and we talked for ages about the old times in Wimborne, which neither of them were old enough to know about, but they seemed so interested in my life there and gave me a cup of tea out of an iron teapot. They really made my day.

Most shops in the town have changed hands but I had a good time trying to remember who lived where.

The Bartletts opposite no.3 was the only one that appears not to have moved on. But the park and bridges over the river were really well done, and with all the alterations, it hasn’t been spoilt.

I am 87 so it is unlikely that I shall return to Wimborne now all my relatives there have died, but those girls made my final trip a real treat. I shall always have happy memories of Wimborne and feel very nostalgic about it.

ELIZABETH PETTITT

Sarsen Heights, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent

Want to respond to this letter for publication? send us a letter