A 52 year bond tied by a stitch!

Dave Graystock’s barber, Kevin Gavaghan from Up the Junction in Heckmondwike, found the stitch while cutting Dave’s hair before Christmas.

It had been there since 1961, when Dave needed hospital treatment after being run over.

Dave told us his story, saying how he would love to get back in touch with Nurse Lyons, who had cared for him while he recovered in hospital – even coming to see him on her days off.

And after the story appeared, Nurse Lyons – now known as Josephine Birch and living in Harrogate – got in touch to say her friend Maureen had sent her the clipping.

We put Josephine and Dave back in touch, and they met up again for the first time in 52 years this week, along with their partners, barber Kevin, Josephine’s friend Maureen who spotted the story, and her husband.

Josephine said: “Maureen sent me the clipping and asked if I remembered it.

“I often wondered what happened to Dave and how he was going on. I have the original photo with ‘Dave, Christmas ‘61 ‘ written on the back.

“It’s nice to see him and find out what he’s been up to – it’s been great catching up.”

Dave said: “Maybe it’s fate. I thought about trying to contact Jo through the paper a few years ago but never got round to it. The stitch spurred me on – something was telling me to get the ball rolling. Seeing her again was like turning the clock back. It was incredible. We will definintely be keeping in touch.”