'We've been friends since 1959 and still meet up every year'

A group of schoolfriends who met when they started school in 1959 have been holding annual reunions since 1998.

We met up with them as they celebrated their 25th get-together at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

The five women grew up in Darlington and more than 65 years later - despite living and working all over the country – and now 70 and 71, they are still in touch.

Caroline Velvick, Emmi Checkley, Angela Jasper, Claire Townend and Jane Walker are lifelong friends who were in the same school class from the ages of five to 18.

In total they have 10 children and 11 grandchildren and have supported each other through the highs and lows of life.

Three of them married farmers, three became teachers and two went to Liverpool University together.

Caroline has settled in Wetherby, Emmi lives in Nottingham, Angela in North Yorkshire, Claire in Manchester and Jane near Rochdale. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield is the annual location for their meet-ups.

Caroline says: "It's just an amazing bond and friendship that's very special.

"When we're together we never stop talking because there's so much to say. There are so many miles that we have travelled together and coming to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is wonderful."

Emmi has kept the programme from the group's first visit to the park in 1998.

She says being with the friends makes her feel comfortable – never having to worry about what she says or does.

She says: "We know each other so well there are no airs and graces. They're wonderful friends.

"We meet to find out what everyone's been doing for the last year and about their families. We've all had children and grandchildren now.

"We don't always just talk about the past, we talk about what's been going on in the last year."

It's not just the annual meet-up that keeps the group together – they have a WhatsApp group and share Christmas cards and mark big life events.

Jane says: "You wouldn't believe how many messages we send but meeting every year we still have six hours' worth of conversations together."

Claire and Caroline were born in the same hospital in beds adjacent to each other – and so have known each other since they were three days old.

Claire says she thinks the group's bond is strong because of their shared experiences from a young age.

She says: "That's very rare in this day and age to go from kindergarten to sixth form without changing schools. So I guess we have more of a bond than most children do these days.

"I think it's a sign of true friendship. You all go off in your life, have your families, work hard and then you come back when you have less to do. We've all moved back together. We have our own time now."

Jane says the Yorkshire Sculpture Park has been the best place for the reunions, not just because of the geographical convenience, but because of the environment.

She says: "It's lovely and relaxed. We can hog a table for a full day if we want to. I really look forward to coming here.

"We've been known to have champagne for special birthdays and cake.

"We're making dates for next year already."

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