Care Home Resident Reunites With Childhood Friend Vince Hill After 70 Years
A showbiz loving resident at a Coventry based HC-One care home was reunited with a childhood friend and local singer recently thanks to the detective work of staff members.
Brandon House resident, Gwendoline Wall, aged 82, first met Vincent Hill back in the 1940’s when the pair attended Hen Lane School together. The pair became firm friends up until their teenage years, when the two parted ways and Vincent began singing in the Hen Lane Social Club and The Bantam Pub.
Despite her busy role as a wife and mother, Gwendoline continued to follow Vincent’s blossoming career, often wondering what might have been if they had stayed in contact.
Sheryl Davis, HC-One Care Home Manager, commented: “From the moment that Gwen came into our care she was lively and vivacious and soon the staff were captivated by her tales. One that stood out above all others was the story of young Vincent. It was evident that she still carried a flame for him.
“I managed to track Vincent down and arrange for him to phone Gwen, who sang ‘Edelweiss’ to her from The Sound of Music. We were all choked with emotion as we watched the years roll away and Gwen’s face take on a youthful glow.”
Following the phone call, care staff arranged for Gwendoline to meet Vincent in person at the Coventry Music Museum, where he was celebrating his 55th anniversary of being in the music industry.
Sheryl, added: “These moments make our caring work all the more worthwhile.”
