Wick man hopes to reunite old friends

John Bown, who was born and grew up in Wick, is hoping to mark his 70th birthday by getting together with “men who were boys when I was a boy”.

He now lives in Kent, but wants to get together as many people with whom he shared his childhood as possible for a walk on the South Downs, north of Arundel, on July 20.

He said: “The idea was first planted in my mind through a verse by the poet Hilaire Belloc, a great lover, like myself, of the South Downs, in his poem, The South Country.

“I am now retired and living in Canterbury with my wife, Merle, and would be more than pleased to meet and walk with any who shared my childhood with me, and who still remember it, and who share my love of a short walk, the South Downs, and a pub lunch.”

John lived in Wick until 1964, at The Bakery, on the corner of Wick Street and North Street.

He went to Lyminster Primary School from 1946 to 1952, and Littlehampton Secondary School for Boys, in Connaught Road, from 1952 to 1958. During the late 1950s, he played for Littlehampton Youth Club’s football team.

“I was also, during that period, a Cub, Scout and assistant Scout leader of the then 5th Littlehampton Sea Scout Troop,” he said.

To get in touch with John, call 01227 764876 or email [email protected]