St Catherine’s resident, Harry Day, got a pleasant surprise when an old friend dropped in to see him a couple of days ago.
Peter Davis had heard that Harry had moved into a care home in Newcastle, but didn’t know which one. After some determined detective work he finally discovered that his old pal was only a short bus ride away.
Harry (pictured left) and Peter were part of a group of four or five friends who used to get together at Newcastle’s Blucher Club and who often went on bus trips together, so there was plenty to reminisce about.
“Peter’s only a youngster”, says Harry, “I’m 90, but he’s only 89”.
Harry himself has had a fascinating life – narrowly missing becoming a celebrity. Although working for over 35 years as a motor mechanic, he was also a comedian and singer and made several appearances on BBC radio during the 1940s. While serving in the army he was refused leave to go to Manchester to audition for a part in a production of A J Cronin’s “The Stars Look Down”, which could have been his big break.
He’s very philosophical about it though. “If my Commanding Officer had given permission for me to go, who knows where I would be today?” he says, “but, there you go.”