A GWENT woman has met her penpal of 67 years for the first time in three decades.
Esme Jacob, 84, from Greenmeadow, Cwmbran invited her friend Mary Dix, 83, all the way from Toronto in Canada to catch up on their extraordinary friendship.
The two ladies began writing to each other as 17-year-old pen friends in 1939. This was only their third meeting in nearly 70 years of friendship.
The two pensioners chatted about their expanding families and the changes they have seen throughout their lives.
Esme, a former teacher at North Road Infants School in Cwmbran, introduced her special guest to husband Arthur, 90, daughter Clare, 44, who was a teenager last time she came to Gwent, and three grandsons Scott, 12, Rhys, 10, and James, eight. The VIP was also shown the sights of Gwent, including a visit to Big Pit.
Mary has had three children and eight grandchildren since the friendship began.
Esme told the Argus: "It's amazing we have stuck together. We are very proud."
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