This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-50487244
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Vicar reunited with 1964 Rupert Bear annual | Vicar reunited with 1964 Rupert Bear annual |
(32 minutes later) | |
A couple has reunited a much-loved children's book with its owner after realising the name inside was that of the vicar who married them. | |
Steven Herring bought the 1964 Rupert the Bear annual at a jumble sale in Barking in the early 1980s. | Steven Herring bought the 1964 Rupert the Bear annual at a jumble sale in Barking in the early 1980s. |
He rediscovered it during a recent garage clear-out at his home in Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire, where he has lived since 2007. | He rediscovered it during a recent garage clear-out at his home in Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire, where he has lived since 2007. |
"I flicked through and I couldn't believe the name that I saw," he said. | "I flicked through and I couldn't believe the name that I saw," he said. |
"[It was] that of our local vicar - who married us here four years ago." | "[It was] that of our local vicar - who married us here four years ago." |
Retired engineer Mr Herring, 66, and his wife, Esther Harrod, 67, were married by the Reverend Peter Cunliffe in 2015. | |
"I asked Esther if she knew Peter's middle name and that's when she turned detective," said Mr Herring. | "I asked Esther if she knew Peter's middle name and that's when she turned detective," said Mr Herring. |
"It's an extraordinary coincidence. To go to that jumble sale - on that weekend - and buy that book. Peter was dumbfounded." | "It's an extraordinary coincidence. To go to that jumble sale - on that weekend - and buy that book. Peter was dumbfounded." |
Mr Cunliffe, who has been the vicar of St James' Church for 17 years, wrote his name in the book in 1964 when he was 10 and living in London. | |
He said he loved the picture book because it told the story with few words. | He said he loved the picture book because it told the story with few words. |
"I remember it very clearly, Rupert was a favourite. It took until I was 30 to realise I was dyslexic but I followed the story in the annual really easily. | "I remember it very clearly, Rupert was a favourite. It took until I was 30 to realise I was dyslexic but I followed the story in the annual really easily. |
"I was really surprised. I had no idea when I had lost it - I had no memory of giving it away. It was very intriguing. It evokes that feeling of comfort and cosiness you have as a child. | "I was really surprised. I had no idea when I had lost it - I had no memory of giving it away. It was very intriguing. It evokes that feeling of comfort and cosiness you have as a child. |
"And it's not in bad condition either." | "And it's not in bad condition either." |