Penpals of 62 years meet for the first time

Christchurch woman Waverley Neutze, 78, has met her British penpal, Joyce Sims, for the first time, after corresponding for 62 years.

The two women began writing as teenagers and finally got an opportunity to meet each other after 62 years, the Times newspaper reported in London.

Mrs Neutze, 78, flew to England to visit the home in Weymouth, Dorset, of Mrs Sims, 80, and her husband, John.

"I feel I know her so well, she's part of the family," Mrs Sims said.

"We've grown up together really. We met our husbands, got married and had families at nearly the same time, and always kept in touch."

Mrs Sims was 17 when she saw an advert for a penpal in the Weekly News. Mrs Neutze was just 16.

The two women have exchanged more than 400 letters.

They have shared the joys of marriage, children and grandchildren, but only after the death of Mrs Neutze's husband, Alan, did they decide to meet.

"When we started writing we didn't think of travelling the way people do now, so we've never really thought it was possible to meet up before," Mrs Sims said.

"It's been lovely to finally put a face and voice to all those words."

Mrs Neutze said: "I was a young farmer's daughter and I was looking for a penpal from somewhere exotic.

"I couldn't believe it when I got a reply from England, and I wrote back straight away. Back then we didn't realise how long it would last."

- NZPA