Pen pals

Hello Patricia,

So sorry I didn't get back to you sooner ; I have "hit and miss" problems with my old laptop ! The broadband signal where I am can be a bit of a lottery at times .

Thank you for the welcome to us "newbies" . It's so good to have a connection to each other , and maybe not feel as lonely too .; especially now of course .

I'm not really used to "chat rooms" , as I tend to use the phone and emails mostly , but when I was a bit younger I loved writing a letter or two to pen pals in the post ( what's that eh ? !! ) and used to enjoy thinking out and writing the odd poem when I was a youngster ; especially about nature .

Would be lovely to hear from you again Patricia , if you'd like that .
All best wishes to you and your family ,
Keep well.


Also , best wishes and keep well to everyone on Silversurfers !

Hello Fauna,
I have gleaned from your posts that you used to write letters, are similar age to me, enjoy nature, cats and live in the Highlands! All good to me!
I am hoping to find people to exchange letters by snail mail so if that interests you or anyone else reading this, please do contact me.
I live in Dorset, am female, 56, reading books, writing. growing things in my garden (watching things blossom and producing an organic food source) I so love music (enjoy seeing bands) Motorcycles - I ride pillion (current a Honda VFR 800) Love to hear others' opinions, chat, banter or gloriously written letters...by post.
Think on't! It will be the bees knees!

Hi Bees knees,it's another lovely sunny day here in West Midlands
My name is Ann,I'm 55,and owned by 3lovely cats.Ive been enjoying being in the garden this week and planting up some hanging baskets and had some nice walks in the park admiring the lovely blossom and tulips in full bloom.I love nature and animals and trips out to the countryside and the coast.I love Dorset, particularly Weymouth where we have had many lovely holidays.Hope you have a good day, take care from Ann.

Not so nice here today - where roughly in the West Midlands are you from?

Pat 🙂

Islandpat, you left me a message and in my haste I pressed something untoward and it vanished. I cannot locate it. I have left you a message in the private chats. Do please get back to me!

Hi Highland pat, thanks for your reply,it's still warm and sunny here,I live in Bloxwich,near Walsall, whereabouts are you from roughly.Ive just got home from mom's , been mowing her lawns as gardener not coming under the circumstances.Going to sit in garden with a cuppa and my cats now.

It's Island Pat as I now live in Cyprus but I was born in Bloxwich maternity home and lived in Walsall in the Birchills area, not too far from Reedswood Park.

Have lots of relatives in Bloxwich - am doing my family tree

We are very restricted at the moment, weather not too good today but did get to 20 C. It has rained but dodged the rain to walk the dog.

Pat

Hi Pat, small world isn't it,both myself and my husband were born in Bloxwich maternity home to.My mom was born in the Birchills 90 years ago in Pargeter street,then moved to Roland street,had lots of family around their a long time ago.What part of Cyprus do you live in?We have been to Paphos 3 times, lovely place and such friendly people
We went to the King Evathelon hotel near Coral bay in the February 2years ago and weather was lovely, everyone was flying kites on the beach and having barbecues.
I will be glad when this lockdown is over so we can start traveling again,we were meant to be going to Turkey in 2weeks time but it's been cancelled,we did manage to get a week in Gran Canaria though at the end of February which was nice.What are your hobbies?I like gardening and spending time with our 3cats, their are plenty of stray cats to feed in Cyprus aren't their
Hope you have a lovely weekend take care from Ann X

Ann look above Elgin52 from Walsall and Bees Knees is a Brummie 🙂

Look at Neale St Walsall, where I lived, it's off Hollyhedge Road and so is Pargeter St. Did she go to St Andrew's School?

Your mum may have known him.

https://www.expressandstar.com/editors-picks/2015/05/12/plaque-unveiled-at-walsall-home-of-bletchley-park-codebreaker/

I was at Bletchley last May - easy to get there on the train from Walsall.

I live in Kolossi. You were here on Green Monday - equivalent of Shrove Tuesday, Lent starts next day.

I had a trip to UK booked leaving Wednesday 29th April, returning 13th May - been cancelled as you'll realise.

I have joined C3A (U3A in UK) and go to book club and lead the family history group. Can spend hours up my tree.

Our dog, as a very young pup, was abandoned and walked into our house one night and she's nearly 5 now. Lots of cats are being caught by charities and neutered then returned to where they were caught. They normally have a clipped ear to prove they are neutered.

Hope your weather holds up - we have rain!!!! but was 20 C today.

Stay safe

Pat x

Good morning Pat, Thanks for the info on the gentleman from the Birchills,I will ask my mom if she knew him.My hubby worked at Powell's leather factory in Hollyhedge lane for a short while when he left school and my aunt lived in a flat their also
I have a penpal who lives in Deep more avenue also
Weather bit dull today but still 18degrees warm for April.
You live on a wonderful island,.It was kind of you to take in your little dog,if I lived their we would have a menagerie.Last time we visited a lady from a restaurant in the harbour at Paphos was rescuing and feeding stray cats,I took her some cat food for them.Hope you have a lovely weekend, from Ann.️

loved your email
How are you doing tonight

Hello Rob,

Well lets see - didn't go to pubs in Walsall as I was too small to be taken seriously and had a drink taken off me at 21 in Walsall - by then I had a WRAF ID card with DOB.

Used to walk up St Matthew's hill quite often as I had relatives in Tantarra St, Chuckery Rd, Walsingham St and Moncrieffe St. It was either the hill, Ablewell St or a walk through the Arboretum to Crabtrees and then to whoever we were going to see.

Pleck Park was Edward Shelley's games area until they decided the cars needed the area more and took it for the M6. St John's was Edward Shelley's church for Christmas and Easter.

I went to Fellows Park but also Villa. Knew a family lived near you the Woods.

Been to Mellish Church, knew people in Borneo St.

When we had a caravan we stayed at the Caravan Club Site near Scarborough.

I too loved the Arboretum, spent hours in there, the lights were magic. I took my children one year and watch their faces - magic for them too.

We both left at 18 then but I scooted around UK for a few years before ancoring up in Newark followed by Walesby both in Notts.

Nice to meet you - we're the Bloxwich Mat Home Musketeers 🙂

Pat 🙂

Hi,Rob, lovely to hear your memories of Walsall.The lady you mentioned on the sweet stall used to teach my mom piano lessons.Walsall has changed a great deal now and a lot of the town centre pubs have closed now.The arboretum has recently enjoyed a much needed facelift and has a new cafe by the boat lake.My mom used to walk up the steep hill by Saint Matthews to work at stammers factory when she was 14, Happy days.Take care from Ann

Oh the Arboretum. My mother & I, my children (who are now 22 & 18) and my nephew (27) went to the Arboretum to see the lights some years ago when they were small.
When I was visiting my mother in Great Barr.

We also used to take the kids swimming to the Walsall baths. (My mother having learned to swim later in life and a better swimmer than any of us).

We used to go to a wool/knitting shop a stone's throw from the market and again my mother would knit some creations for my little ones.

We would catch the No 51 bus from the Scott Arms Shopping Centre (Grt Barr) travel up the Birmingham Rd and be in Walsall within 15/20 mins.
My children unfamiliar with double decker buses found it a novelty..

Thanks for your chat message earlier Pat.

Have a.nice evening.

Cannock Chase murderer who lived near the police station in Walsall

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannock_Chase_murders

Hi Rob,my mom was named Joan brown,at the time she had piano lessons, take care from Ann

That will be very interesting doing your family tree.My mom once lived in Roland street which was close to Reedswood park.Do you now live anywhere near Paphos or are you on other side of the island.take care from Ann

Hi Pat, hope you are having a good day.I asked mom if she went to St Andrews school in the Birchills she said she did,she also went to the Wolverhampton road school.I mentioned the gentleman from Neale at, she had heard of him.
When did you move to Cyprus Pat?I often watch the T.V show,A place in the sun, and I've seen some lovely properties on their and better value than the UK.We have often said it would be nice to retire their,but I wondered how I would cope with the summer heat.I expect you get used to it eventually.My hubby has another 10 years to go at work anyway before we can move anywhere.
It will be nice when this lockdown is over so we can go out again and enjoy the summer,I hope it's not to bad where you are.Take care from Ann X

Good morning Ann,
Well it would be if you like rain?
I knew I should've mowed the lawn a day ago... It's going to be wet for the next few days now.
Just to let you know my snail mail letter should be winging it's way to you as I 'speak'. It will be interesting how long it takes to reach you.
Catch you soon!

Sorry Ann have been busy with a book review and catching up on reading for a committee meeting this morning but it was cancelled late last night. Chairperson
said he was not ready and this morning the secretary admitted she'd forgotten about it.

I used to live next to Walsall Lock and Cart Gear Ltd in Neale St.

I went to Wolverhampton Rd Primary, my sister went to the Primary and Senior so the senior would be the same as your mother. For my senior school I went to Edward Shelley High School in the Pleck.

I worked doing chemical analysis of the plating solutions for William Bates in Hospital Street. That lasted almost 18 months until I went into the WRAF at 18 and that, other than leave, was the last time I lived in Walsall.

I was posted around UK and then Cyprus where I met and married David. I have lived in Nottinghamshire most of my adult life and we came here to live 14 years ago.

To move here in summer is not a good idea. I was posted in July so was working next day after arrival in high temps. Ideally you start here in autumn and the winter will feel mild then the temp. gradually moves up. It's 22 C today but can reach high 30s mid August.

Don'ts here - don't follow the TV programmes, it's all tourist locations. We live in Kolossi - look on a map. We have much cheaper food etc. due to it being a normal village, even though we have a tourist spot of the castle (a keep really) and are near Kourion. Our council tax is just over a 100 euros and that includes a dog licence - THAT IS ANNUALLY, shouted it because I know most pay more than that per month in UK. Our last place in UK is over £2000 per year. Only get a place with a pool if you are prepared to pay for all the chemicals, electricity and hours of work to keep it clean. Remember there's a big pool only minutes away called the Med.. 🙂

I would suggest to anyone live a year in a place before burning your boats. Renting a year may seem expensive but you will see how you will cope. We knew from our 3 years here that we were OK with it. Also remember once used to the heat of the summer you feel the cold in winter. Some people go up the mountain to be cool in summer but then are cold all through winter. It snows up the mountain and many villages get snowed in. It's also misty up there and a pain to get shopping and medical help. I could go on but as it's only a thought I'll leave it there. We haven't regretted it.

Family History - my mother's family have lived for sometime in Walsall and I've found all my childhood I was stepping into the footsteps of my ancestors. Paddocks, Platts, Morris, Darbys, Caters all around me. Had 2 footballers in my maternal grandfather's family, one played for West Brom. the other for Birmingham City and Notts county - both Victorian era. I'm leader of the C3A family history group.

Daniel Darby, my 4th gt grandfather, was one of the founding fathers of Walsall leather trade. He died 1851 reasonably well off, I have his will, but with 10 children and over 70 grandchildren it didn't go far.

Deepmore Avenue - a good friend of mine lived there named Sheila Brisbourne, we were at Primary together and her mother worked at the Lock (how we referred to the factory next door). We saw each other on Sundays when we went to separate senior schools. Both went to Edward St Chapel off Pargeter St. 🙂

We are under stricter anti virus rules than you. We have only had 20 die and although nearly 900 cases of the virus it's in single figures now for new daily cases so we may have restrictions eased over the next few days.

Take care

Patx

I've sent it from here as we were fed up with the rain, now have sunshine. I'll try to send that as well as long as you don't hog it. 🙂


Pat

Hi Bees knees,I received your lovely letter today thanks,I've posted yours today also.Its rained here all day to but it's good for the garden's.Our cat's are not impressed though they have got used to lounging on the bench in the sun all day and being waited on , eating alfresco all day.
Just been watching a place in the sun on TV,it was in Spain,it would be lovely if it were sunny here all the time to.Take care love Ann X

Thanks bees knees,put your letter in the post today, take care love Ann X

Well, like all gardeners say, "It's good for the garden"

Oh and I enjoyed your "Goodness gracious me" clip earlier on the music thread.
Good to watch.
I hope Yodama has just got a cold and nothing serious.

Enjoy the sun. Remarkably (for this country) I am sporting a very good light golden tan from the last week or so in my garden (lots to do) We have been planting potatoes, peas and green beans and checking on all of the seedlings carrots, beetroots,leeks, sweetcorn, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers amongst other things.
Having a break from it now, whilst it rains.

P.S I.meant to tell you ( as I' d read your post about the Birchill man/codebreaker.
I live in the town Alan Turing went to public school at (they filmed here with Benedict Cumberbatch playing him)

Have a nice evening Pat!

Hi Pat,well your life in Cyprus sounds idyllic.I can't believe that your council tax of 100 euros,we pay £160 per month and we are in a small town house.Ive heard people say that the locals around Paphos go into the Troops mountains to escape the intense heat their in August.We have been on keep safaris in those mountains,it was stunning when the almond blossom was out at the end of february.we also liked to visit the Kykos monastery it's so peaceful their.
My mom's family in this Birchills were named Brown and my grand side were Webb, she had a brother in Raleigh street.My grandad was born in Charles Street.Its interesting tracing your family tree and belonging to the history society.
I belonged to Walsall U3A group for a while,I joined the gardening group but they lost their venue for meetings when the council decided to demolish the building and sell the ground for housing, after that the group dissolved sadly.Ive since joined a floristry group in Park Hall which I enjoy.
My mom worked in the leather trade many years there's not much of it left now sadly.The Birchills has completely changed now to how it was.My mom's aunt who never married was a Sunday school teacher at the mission near the navigation.My mom used to play on the coal barges near their in her Sunday best when she came out of Sunday school much to her mother's annoyance.
Hope you have a good week, take care from Ann X

Thank you and you.

I was at RAF Upavon near Upavon Wilts., went to Salisbury lots of times so not too far from where you are now. Lots of lovely open spaces.

Pat 🙂

Troodos Mountains Ann 🙂

My sister worked in the leather trade all her working life.

St Martin's Church Daffodil Rd C3A Walsall when I looked for my sister.

If you want a quick search done do a private letter with parents and grandparents and DOB or deaths and I'll tell we are related. Woman marrying alters names all the time.

The 1939 register has Browns born Ernest 1909 Florence 1908.

I love doing my tree.

Pat x

That's amazing Pat, Ernest Brown was my grandfather and Florence my grandmother on my mother's side.Sorry about the wrong spelling of Troodos, mountains I'm not very good at typing on this mobile phone.My mom said it was Frederick Street where my grandfather was born not Charles Street.Thanks for telling me about your life in Cyprus, very interesting, something to think about for when my husband retires in 10 years time.Have a good week, take care from Ann X

sent you a private message

Pat x

Hi AngelaC441,

Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.

If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.

If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.

It would be so nice to receive snail mail and uphold older traditional methods of communication. I am female, 56 with an interest in art and books (an avid reader) my cats, my garden (pleasure of watching things grow and blossom and feed family/friends with organically grown produce). I so enjoy music (going to see bands), Motorcycles - I ride pillion (currently a Honda VFR 800) I enjoy gloriously worded letters, exchange of thoughts...or just general banter of any sort. I would love to hear from yourself and anyone else by snail mail who enjoys ANY of the above.
Don't know how this works and may need guidance yet on this but do feel free to contact me! It'll be the bees knees!

Hi The_bees_knees,

Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.

If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.

If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.

Hi Sally,
Hope you can help. I had a reply from a response I made to a post. I have attempted to reply through private chat but there is no evidence of my messages being sent (3 times) It has worked for 2 others, so I am not sure what is occurring?
(The person In question was waiting for.my reply to her question!)

Hi, I am an almost 68 yrs young female from Michigan USA. Your message caught my eye because I also love long letters, I've always loved writing. In my youth I had quite a few pen pals and in fact, still correspond with 3 of them, all of whom I've also met ! Now that I'm retired I'm always looking for new activities. Hoping you like " snail mail " as although I do email like everyone, I really miss writing and receiving the real thing ! If you are interested in corresponding let me know. BTW you don't say where you are from ?

Hi Jan1952,

Welcome to our forum! If you're finding yourself lost, why not start by looking at our current topics. We look forward to getting to know you better.

Hi I’m a 68years old woman from U.K. (just had my birthday31st March !) I love writing letters and have 2 of my pen pals in US one of whom lives in Michigan ! I the other outskirts of Las Vegas.
If you want to have a snapshot of life in U.K. I’m your woman .
Stay safe

Hi Geordiebaker31,

Welcome to our forum! If you're finding yourself lost, why not start by looking at our current topics. We look forward to getting to know you better.

Hi Jan1952.....I hope I’m doing this right because I soooooo prefer snail mail! I have just come across your post and wondered if you would like to write? I’m nearly 66 and I am in the process of retiring from being a nurse (for 36 years) to care for my husband who is now unwell. Retirement is ok because I’m keeping myself as busy as I want to be, within the limitations of lockdown obviously! I have a few craft hobbies too. I do write to two other friends and have done for years, long newsy letters but would love an American pen pal. I remember writing that when I was 12 !
I was brought up in Liverpool during the 60s which was a great time.
Anyway, I will stop babbling on and hope to hear from you!

Hi, I enjoyed your description and would love to proceed as snail mail pen pals. However, I am not sure how we can connect without showing personal info to get started ( mailing address ) ? I'm new to the site and looks like all comments show up on here. Am I missing something ? Anyway, I was a huge Beatles fan back in the day so your Liverpool connection is intriguing !! I also lived in Windsor ( yes, near the castle !) in the 1970s for 9 months. That said, England is my favorite country to travel to. Same with my husband , it was one of the similarities that drew us together ! Looking forward to sharing stories and getting the snail mail thing figured out ! Jan

Hi Jan,
If you message VivvyP in the Chat section of the site you are the only ones who can read the messages so that would be a good way of exchanging addresses.

Thank you so much ! I just tried it .

Glad I could help 🙂

I sent you a private chat.

Hi Jan, sorry for the late reply but I couldn’t find you again! I will try to find the Chat bit and send my details! I’m not used to this either! X

I can’t find the private chat Jan! you can see why I like snail mail! I will keep trying!

Hi Carol.... I can’t find the chat bit! Please send help! . Thanks!

Hi Sally it’s VivvyP. I’m trying to find a private chat sent by Jan1952 and I can’t find the place I need to go to! Can you help me navigate there please? Thanks!

Hi VivvyP,
Scroll up this page to the top and you will see a royal blue bar which has Forum, Chat, Showcase, Speakers Corner, Prize Draws and Polls printed on it in white letters. If you click on Chat you will be in the right place to retrieve your message. Unless Jan1952 has renamed the Chat message it will be under the title of Pen Pals.
Good luck, Carole 🙂

Hi ! I sort of figured it might be hard to find. I just happened upon it, but it's no doubt different depending on your device. I'm on a smartphone and accessed it on the right hand side where a white arrow in a light blue box appears. Any luck ? Kind of frustrating eh ?

Hi Sally, I can’t find the private chat room for my potential pen pal! Is it ok for me to contact her and put my email address on a reply to her please? She has sent me a private message but I can’t find it!
Thanks!

Go to the right of the page and there's a blue mark with an arrow head in it. Put your cursor on it and click and you'll see pictures the one you want is the 2 speech bubbles hit that and you'll be at your chat.:)

I do could you please give details of who you are and where you are from

Female 70+ living in awest Yorks

Hello

I'm from Florida

I'm jimbo from Florida in love with older women and I'm 41

I am in California and I just read on one of your other chats that you are 41. Well that is really nice, but honestly my daughter and son are your age, and I am 64.
Funny but I love being my age. I have been through a lot, and I have learned to put one foot in front of the other and listen to the voice of the Lord, and what a great adventure!!!
Blessings,
Debbie

I'm from Florida how about you

Hi Fatty bom bom,

Welcome to our forum! If you're finding yourself lost, why not start by looking at our current topics. We look forward to getting to know you better.

Hi and welcome to Silversurfers. Great to hear you are keeping your spirits up by walking, fresh air is always a good thing. A good way to get involved on our site is to take a look at Current Topics in our Forum and feel free to engage in anything that takes your interest. We also have a very active Speakers Corner section where you may find something that interests you. https://www.silversurfers.com/speakers-corner/

I hope you enjoy being part of our community.

Melina

Hi ValiGirl

I just joined this site, because, like you, I'm on lockdown, and as someone who lives alone, just getting the desire to talk (or write). I've not been to Montana, but it would be interesting to read about how things are there. Is it spring yet?

I live on the south coast of England. As a key worker I'm still travelling to work, and the tree blossoms are looking radiant under blue sky. And the roads are so quiet, it's like someone turned the clock back.

I'll stop here, since a long letter from a stranger that maybe isn't hitting the right notes would be embarrassing.

Best wishes,

Chris.

Hi ChristopherV,

Welcome to our forum! If you're finding yourself lost, why not start by looking at our current topics. We look forward to getting to know you better.

Hello Patty, Many friendly people on Silversurfers and good conversations and debates to be had.

Hi Libby and welcome to the site, I hope that you find plenty of people to chat with on here, best wishes, John

Hi Libby! I’ve just done a 10 min workout with Joe Wickes on YouTube. It’s left me breathless but quite pleased that I’ve at least got myself off the sofa
I’d like to keep in touch to have a chat about all sorts. Please feel free to message me anytime.

Yvette

Hello Zander1950 and welcome to Silversurfers. A good tip on how to get involved on our site is to take a look at Current Topics in our Forum and feel free to engage in anything that takes your interest. We also have a very active Speakers Corner section where you may find something that interests you. https://www.silversurfers.com/speakers-corner/

I hope you enjoy being part of our community.

Melina

Silly me! I hit the red button in error Don’t let that put you off!

Haha... how very sweet of you to do that! Thank you so much! :0)

Hi Shirley just joined myself..married but separated now just looking to make some new friends..three grown up children and a ton of grandchildren be nice to get to know you...jan

Hi Shirley have only just joined myself...,married but separated now, have three grown up children and eight grandchildren , am still working self employed, would like to get to know new friends am from Cheshire...

Hi Shirley 13 I am 73 lost my husband in 2016, live on my own in West Yorkshire and have a grown up son and granddaughter. Please get in touch

Hi also looking for a pen pal, I am 61 and live in South Wales jon

No idea how this works, do we chat on here or exchange emails ?

Hello, Firefly. This is Eirlys. I did not make it clear that I am looking for e-mail penfriends. If you are still interested I would enjoy hearing from you. Not sure how to set about this. I suppose publishing one's email address in a Reply can only be seen by that particular person?

Eirlys

Obviously that isn't so

Hi I am also looking for a penfriend. Where do you live and how old are you?