RaH CareGiver reunites pupil and primary school teacher after 70 years

A RIGHT at Home CareGiver helped stage a reunion between a 76-year-old Client and his 90-year-old primary school teacher – 70 years after the pair last met.

David Gott, 76, was chatting about his early days at school with his CareGiver Heather Sutcliffe, when she realised her mum, Mary, was his class teacher at Cowling Primary back in 1952.

David was keen to reconnect with ‘Miss Townley’ – these days called Mary Clough, and the pair took an emotional trip down memory lane, after Heather’s manager at Right at Home Ilkley, Keighley & Skipton, Veronica Manolache, arranged for them to meet at Ball Park Grove Country Park, in Colne.

David, a retired builder, attended Cowling Primary School from 1952 to 1956 and was in first class that Mary ever taught at the school, when she joined in 1952.

Despite the 70-year time lapse, the pupil and teacher remembered each other well and both recalled that Mary taught David’s class in an old storage room, as the school did not have enough proper classroom space at the time.

The pair shared memories of Maypole dancing, dancing to the piano and how David’s father used to be Mary’s chimney sweep. Remarkably, Mary even remembered that David was left-handed.

Both David and Mary found the meeting emotional. David said afterwards: “I’m so happy that Right at Home organised this for us. I remember being in Miss Townley’s class, even though I was so young. It was great to meet up – I got quite emotional!”

Paresh Mistry, owner and director of Right at Home Ilkley, Keighley and Skipton said: “I am so pleased we were able to facilitate this meeting for David, allowing him to reconnect with his early years.

"We always encourage our CareGivers to really get to know our Clients well, as we recognise this helps us to provide the highest standard of care and support.”