It’s not just Christian names which these two ladies share. Alison Lainton and Allyson Thompson are both living many miles from home, and harbouring fond memories of Shropshire.
For more than a decade, Alison Lainton has been touring the world, enjoying stays on a variety of tropical shores through her job in the travel industry.
Currently living in Jamaica and working for Virgin Holidays, she has some of the most beautiful rivers and streams on her doorstep, like the amazing Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios (pictured).
But she says: “I really do miss Shropshire for so many reasons — those that stand out the most stem from my childhood memories at Chetwynd, where I used to fish in the streams with my dad trying to catch the fish with my hands until my dad invested in a fishing net.
“The crisp clean water used to soothe my sore, itchy feet and hands and help to heal the terrible eczema I suffered with.
“The warm lovely moments with my mum, dad, sister and brothers just used to make me laugh and be happy and forget the eczema and asthma that constantly bought me down and for which I was bullied at school.
“After fishing we would walk up the hills and slide down on bits of cardboard, after all the excitement mum and dad would treat us to an ice cream — tutti frutti was my favourite.”
She added: “Other memories I look back on fondly are the visits to my grandparents in Newport where my dad would take me into grandad’s garden and show me the vegetables he was growing.
“I used to run up and down the lawn and then pick the pea pods fresh from the plant, pop them open and feast on the beautiful crisp, fresh peas inside. I really miss those days and I really miss my family being close by.”
Allyson Thompson, meanwhile, spent more than 30 years living in Shrewsbury, and will be remembered by many under her maiden name Sneade. Having married an army officer, she relocated to Salisbury, and then overseas to Brussels.
“Whilst life is really wonderful here and the quality of life, medical treatment, and people are second to none, I still miss my home town and come back as often as the extensive busy life here allows, it is very social,” she said.
“We do plan to retire to my home town. My heart will always be there.”
- Are you a Shropshire expat? We’d love to hear from you, and see your pictures. Please contact starfeatures@shropshirestar.co.uk
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