A CUTTING from The Citizen sparked a 25,000-mile journey for former Darwener May Fish. "Darwen Tower always holds nostalgic memories for ex-pat Darreners wherever they are," said Mrs Fish. "And when I read about the planned celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary I just had to go." Mrs Fish, 68 (pictured) is over on a three-month holiday for her first visit "home" in over 20 years. And she will be taking back with her sticks of Darwen rock for her grandchildren in New Zealand after tackling the Tower walk the hard way - straight up Punstock!

Husband Tom decided reluctantly not to join her on the trip as he has had heart trouble for several years, but he insisted she made the trip once they had read the story in The Citizen.

"It was a great day," said May who is staying with her brother Jim Walsh and his wife May in Sough Road. "Everybody enjoyed it - even though the rock ran out and they are having to get some more. I wouldn't have missed it for anything."

But not many went via Punstock - the North Face of the Eiger route! "It was the quickest way. I just couldn't wait," she laughed.

Mrs Fish and her property-repairer husband emigrated from their home in Hodgson Street, Darwen, in 1964 with their two sons Robert and Derek. Tom was born in New Zealand.

They now have five grandchildren - Andrew, Simon, Sarah, Ryan and Lorraine - and the families all live in the Army Bay area of Auckland.

It's winter out there now, but the weather is a lot better than it has been recently in England. "It wasn't always this cold and wet - was it?" May laughed.

Tom's step-brother Frank now lives in Cleveland in the North East and it was he who sent them The Citizen cutting about the Tower centenary plans.

"We had been thinking of making what was likely to be our last visit back to England," she explained. "The Tower walk seemed an ideal opportunity. I telephoned Tom after the walk and I think he was a bit upset that he hadn't come over as well."

Mrs Fish has bumped into a lot of old friends in Darwen and she is really enjoying her visit. She is planning a few days in Eastbourne and a visit to Frank before returning home early in September.

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