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Stokesley families re-unite in Melbourne Now in 1999 - Now & Then office received a plea for additional copies of the November magazine from Chris Thompson (right) the organist at Great Ayton’s Christ Church, who recently flew out for a three week holiday in Melbourne to look up an old friend David Wilde who left Stokesley in the 60’s to settle in Australia. “They were absolutely fascinated with the magazine which brought back so many memories of the past. “ says Chris, a retired music teacher at Brotton comprehensive school, now living in Great Ayton.“David and I were best buddies in the 60s’ and I always promised myself that when I retired I would go to Australia and look him up .”He originally went out there on a two year contract as a lecturer in computer studies, met his wife, and has been there ever since.” Chris also called on David’s sister Pat (pictured left in 1961) who also lives in Melbourne. She left Stokesley in 1961 and married a company director and Chris coincided his visit with the marriage of their daughter Dale. David and Pat’s parents, the late Mr & Mrs Norman Wilde ran the newsagents shop in Stokesley in the 60’s and Chris Thompson is the youngest son of the late Fred and Dulcie Thompson the well known Stokesley farming family. This article appeared in the January 1999 edition of Now
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