A FRIENDSHIP between 12 classmates which began nearly 70 years ago looks set to outlive the building where it was formed.
In 1944, a class of around 30 girls started at Cleethorpes Girls Grammar School on Clee Road – and on that day began friendships that would last a lifetime.
After exams, many of the students went their separate ways, but in the November of 1961 – when the women were between 27 and 28 years old – they arranged a reunion.
Seventeen women turned up that day, and, 52 years on, 12 of them met at the Kingsway Hotel for lunch – as they have done every month, ever since the first meeting.
Wendy Smith, 78, of Weelsby Road – who hosted the first meeting – said: "I had just had my daughter and when I walked around with the pram, I kept seeing my school friends and we would always ask who we still saw and what they were up to.
"I decided that I would arrange a meeting at my house and we enjoyed it so much that we have met every month since that day.
"It is hard to believe that my daughter is 52 now and we are all still friends."
The school that the girls had once gone to later became Lindsey Lower School, which has now been boarded up.
It could soon face demolition as North East Lincolnshire Council is currently deciding on the fate of the property, which is costing taxpayers thousands to upkeep.
Sheila Warrener, 78, said: "It is such a shame to think we might lose it and it should never have been left to get into that state.
"The building is beautiful and holds a lot of memories for a lot of people."
But no matter what happens to the building, the friendships formed in it will remain.
Wendy estimates that the group has met more than 500 times and they have arranged everything from local luncheons to theatre trips to London to see Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia.
Two of the original 17 have sadly passed away, three more now live too far away to attend, but 12 of the ladies remain close.
Rita Lowe, 78, of Howlett Road, said: "Despite whatever trials and tribulations have struck us, we have always been there for each other."
Brenda Mawson, 78, of Louth, lost her husband 25 years ago, but said it meant a lot to have a friendship network that were "like family" in her time of need.
"Even just after it happened, I still came to the meetings because I felt so comfortable around them. It was great to see them all and have a good cry," she said.
"We all have our own families, but I feel like whatever happened and however desperate I was, I could always call one of them – and I think we all feel that way."
