Penpals meet after more than 60 years

Penpals who have been sending letters across the Atlantic for more than 60 years have finally met.

Barbara Kent Cole, of Holbeach, first wrote to Madonna Anton, of Michigan, USA, in May 1947, when she was 12.

It was the first of many letters exchanged between the two girls and also led to a ten-year penpal relationship developing between Mrs Anton, who is known as Donna, and James Bullin, who was the headteacher of Gedney Drove End Primary School at that time.

Donna recently visited England to finally meet Barbara and see where she lives.

While in the country she visited the school and presented the children with the letters from Mr Bullin which she has kept all these years.

During her week-long visit she stayed at St Nicholas House in Deeping St Nicholas and took the opportunity to tour the area and do some sightseeing as well as meeting up with some more of her English friends.

more >

Reform Party set to control county council and win mayoral election

2 May 2025

Man who used ‘young appearance’ to target girls aged under 13 jailed for 19 years

1 May 2025

Spalding United announce £1m investment of Sir Halley to include artificial pitch

1 May 2025

Overturned lorry at A16/151 roundabout causes traffic issues

1 May 2025

Two charged after Moulton Chapel home among over 30 raided by police in drugs bust

1 May 2025

Report ‘noxious substance’ was sprayed into car following Spalding road traffic collision

30 Apr 2025