80-year-old pen pals finally meet after lifetime of letters

Patsy Gregory and Carol-Ann Krause began corresponding when they were 12-years-old

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 17 August 2023

Two 80-year-old pen pals who have been writing to each other since 1955 have finally fulfilled their dream of meeting in the flesh. Patsy Gregory, from Hoghton in Lancashire, travelled nearly 4,000 miles to meet Carol-Ann Krause, from South Carolina, whom she began corresponding with as a 12-year-old Girl Guide. The trip was organised by Gregory’s three children as an 80th birthday present, and lasted nine days. “I recognised her immediately and it just felt natural,” Gregory said. “It’s absolutely lovely and we’re both still here.”

Heritage training given £29m boost

A British philanthropist and former businessman has given almost £29m to promote heritage skills training in the UK and the Commonwealth. Hamish Ogston’s donation, which was made through his charitable foundation, is the largest private single commitment to the heritage training cause ever, and will allow up to 2,700 young people to be trained in skills such as flint knapping, joinery, roofing, carpentry, painting, plastering and stonemasonry.

A sheep that was stranded on jagged rocks at the bottom of a cliff in Devon was rescued by an intrepid walker. Chris Oxlade-Arnott, 51, and his wife Jilly passed the sheep when they were on a walk in Woolacombe, but only registered it when Jilly noticed it in one of her photos. With the tide coming in, Chris climbed down the steep cliff face and clambered across the rocks to reach the imperilled ewe. He then managed to haul it over his shoulder and carry it back up the rocks to safety. “Luck was on our side and the sheep was too exhausted to make a fuss,” Chris recalled. When they set it down, it began happily grazing.