EVER wondered about rekindling an old romance? Ever thought about those people you used to work with? Or even played in the same team with?

James Marston

EVER wondered about rekindling an old romance? Ever thought about those people you used to work with? Or even played in the same team with?

During the run-up to the festive season, why not take a closer look at our online Finding Friends service - it might just have the answer. JAMES MARSTON reports.

WE all lose touch with people - it's a fact of life.

A past lover, an old friend, a work colleague, a team mate - as life takes us in different directions, it can also take us away from those we once knew so well.

But today, thanks to the Evening Star and the internet, it's much easier to find those people you once thought you might never see again.

On our website - www.eveningstar.co.uk, which is visited by thousands of people every day - Finding Friends is one of the top-rated sections.

Ben Brett, Archant Suffolk assistant web editor, said: “Hundreds of thousands of people visit The Evening Star website every month, and the Finding Friends forum is one of the most popular parts of the site.

“It's particularly popular with people who have moved away from the area and want to reconnect with old friends.”

Sometimes people have just moved a few miles away but there are also a lot of messages from around the world, especially ex-service personnel who were stationed in Suffolk.

Ben added: “It's a really friendly community, but if people prefer to reply privately you can send messages direct to individuals as well.

“You can visit the Finding Friends forum by clicking on the link on the front page of the Star website at

www.eveningstar.co.uk.”

Now living in Hamilton, Ohio, USA, Pauline Clarke is a regular Finding Friends visitor.

She said: “I grew up at 75 Beechcroft Road, in Ipswich, and I had lots of friends there. I'd like to find out what happened to Jennifer and Brian Thomspon who lived at number 80.”

Now 68, Pauline left Ipswich for a life in America in 1960, though she still had relations in Ipswich.

She said: “Goldsmith was my maiden name. I have three sisters, Wendy who now lives in Scotland, Susan who is still in Ipswich, and Jane who lives near me in Ohio. I'd love to hear from anyone who was around at that time. It would mean the world to me to find out what happened to Jennifer and Brian as we were all very close and had some great times together.

“They moved away and we lost contact with them but they may well still be in the Ipswich area.”

The former Westbourne High School pupil, said she enjoys using the Finding Friends service.

She said: “It is so interesting to find out about people you used to know. It means you feel like part of the community. No matter where you go there's no place live home.”

Pauline said she will be returning to Ipswich in the spring to visit her sister and would love to meet with friends from her earlier life.

If you remember Pauline, you can contact her at bac0929@hotmail.com