Woman discovers letter hidden in home for decades

Sam Dixon-French
BBC Radio Sussex
Aimee Oliver An old letter addressed "To Whom It May Concern"Aimee Oliver
The letter was 'pretty well hidden'

A woman in Hove who found a 32-year-old letter while cleaning her kitchen has been reunited with her flat's previous owner.

Aimee Oliver discovered the letter, dated 1993, stuck in a drawer where she keeps her pots and pans.

She said: "It was pretty well hidden. We were like 'oh my god, what is this?'."

After posting about the letter on social media, Andy Neal - whose then wife Kirstie was the author, contacted Ms Oliver, and they plan to meet.

Aimee Oliver A letter written by Katie Neal to the future people living in her flat.Aimee Oliver
Ms Oliver said it was interesting to see how things have changed since the letter was written

The letter said how the couple had moved into the flat when it was a "real tip" and were refurbishing it "bit by bit".

"We hope you enjoy living here as much as we do, and all your downs are small and all your ups are big," it read.

"P.S. This place cost us £27,000."

Ms Oliver said: "It's just crazy how much less things were before."

A former colleague of Mr Neal's mum spotted Ms Oliver's Facebook post, and he reached out to her.

Aimee said: "It was less than 24 hours. I messaged straight away. I was excited but I wasn't sure the reaction we were going to get.

"He was instantly really open. Telling me all these bits and bobs about his life.

"It's really cool to see how it's been changed and updated."

Ms Oliver and her partner are tattoo artists - and are now working on a design for Mr Neal in tribute to his father who recently died.

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