SIDMOTHIAN Jeanne Retter may have lived on the other side of the world for more than half a century, but that hasn t stopped her casting a keen eye over the goings on in her home town.
SIDMOTHIAN Jeanne Retter may have lived on the other side of the world for more than half a century, but that hasn't stopped her casting a keen eye over the goings on in her home town.
Sidford born Jeanne, 80, who now lives on Australia's Gold Coast, has been reading the Sidmouth Herald every week since she left in 1959 and was delighted to pay the town a visit this week.
Jeanne, who may be better known by her maiden name Vincent, has received 'news bundles' from school friend and Sidford resident Rose Collins every month for decades.
"I enjoy them and look forward to them," said Jeanne, who has labelled herself a "Pommie-Kiwi-Aussie" after moving to New Zealand in 1959.
She has noticed one big difference between her home town and current southern hemisphere abode, "the cold".
Jeanne said: "I have to wear a coat everywhere but Sidmouth is still a lovely part of the world and I hope it doesn't change too much. Connaught Gardens is still as beautiful as ever.
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