Tears, smiles and memories at Doxey residents reunion
Happy memories were shared at a reunion of past and present residents of a small estate.
Former Doxey resident Ray Spurway organised the get-together after his 98-year-old mother Olive fell out of touch with her friends in the area.
The 68-year-old said it was a “wonderful occasion”. About 60 people, all with links to the small estate of Doxey, turned up to St Thomas and St Andrew’s Church Hall to meet old friends and neighbours, view photos, and share memories.
Mr Spurway, a retired civil servant, has held three other reunions before – one in 2007, 2009 and 2017.
And he hopes to hold another in a few years.
“It was wonderful,” said Mr Spurway, who now lives in the Crab Lane area of Stafford.
“My mum cried at the end, she got all emotional. There were a lot of memories there for someone who is 98.
“We had all these scrapbooks out which a lady called Arlene Skelton makes and updates each reunion. So people could look through them.”
Mr Spurway said he first decided to organise a reunion back in 2007 when he met an old friend of his mother’s in town.
“She was asking how mum was, and I asked if I could take a photo of her to show her. And when I did mum was wondering how all her other friends were.
"So I went home and said to my wife I wanted to get something organised so older people could reminisce.
“And I think it was a great success.”
He added: “My mum just loves reunions. It was really lovely. I just looked round and watched everyone and it was lovely to see them turning the clock back.
"It doesn’t happen normally. You can’t just go to town and see someone, these reunions are important. I hope they continue.
“I want to thank everyone for coming, it was so pleasing to see everyone enjoying themselves.”
