Lifelong Friends Recreate Cherished Holiday Memory After Five Decades

In the summer of 1972, four teenage girls from the industrial West Riding of Yorkshire embarked on their initial parent-free vacation to the English Riviera, bringing back a memorable photograph from the trip. The lively group, dressed in vibrant attire and with arms intertwined, is depicted strolling along the Torquay promenade. Fifty-two years subsequently, with their bond remaining strong, the friends chose to replicate the scene at its original setting. After traveling 322 miles from Halifax to Devon and assembling recreated versions of their original clothing, the four successfully arranged a 2024 rendition of the cherished photograph, contemplating the longevity of their friendship. The week-long trip represented a significant coming-of-age experience for school friends Marion Banforth, Susan Morris, Mary Helliwell, and Carol Asbro, who were all 17 years old at the time. Marion, now aged 69, remembers, “It was a lovely time.” She added, “It was just fabulous to be able to do what we wanted to do without having anyone looking over our shoulders and tell us what time we had to be in.” She further recounted, “We used to go down to the beach every day in Torquay and one day there was just a man on the prom with a camera. He asked us to link arms and then he took the photo. We all got a copy.” Without parental supervision, the four friends spent their week consuming cider and experiencing the attractions and ambiance of the coastal town, which would later gain recognition as the backdrop for the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers within a few years. Their accommodation was a caravan situated on a campsite, where even the amenities provided a thrill. Retired council worker Mary recalled, “What I remember most is we had a swimming pool.” She continued, “It was only a small one but I was absolutely made up – an outdoor pool!” She concluded, “It was a simpler time.” Over fifty years later, with their friendships enduring, Susan proposed creating a 2024 rendition of the photograph, though the group’s initial response was disbelief. Susan recounted, “I passed a photocopy of the photo round when we were out for a meal and said ‘Right girls, how do you fancy recreating that?” She added, “Well, they dropped their knives and their forks! But they came round and loved it in the end.” Nevertheless, the endeavor of posing at the identical location presented challenges. Firstly, the white hotel visible in the background of the original image had been torn down, causing uncertainty regarding the precise spot on the promenade where the four had stood. Secondly, there was the fashion aspect and the effort to recreate their 1970s attire, which had primarily been acquired from Chelsea Girl, a well-known retailer of that era. By searching charity shops and online second-hand clothing vendors, the four successfully acquired some authentic garments, though not all were a perfect fit. Mary laughed, “I’d bought my dress online and it took two of them to zip me up into it.” She admitted, “It was a bit tight!” However, she noted, “But once we got out there on the promenade it was nice. There were people watching what we were doing and it was a good laugh!” Over fifty years following that cherished initial vacation, and now with a combined total of seven children and 15 grandchildren, the group expresses clear pride in sustaining such robust friendships. Proximity has been a contributing factor, as three of the women continue to reside in Halifax, while Carol divides her time between Spain and her home region of Calderdale. Consistent with many friendship circles, daily WhatsApp messages are a regular occurrence. Although the amount of quality time spent together decreased somewhat upon starting families, they consistently made sure to maintain contact. Susan stated, “Apart we’re like chalk and cheese – very different people.” She concluded, “But together it works so well.” Marion, visibly moved as she contemplated the significance of her friends, added, “We’ve always had each other’s backs.” She elaborated, “We know each other’s good and bad times and we just know each other is going to be there for us. “In some ways, we’ve taken it for granted because we’ve always had the group there for us. But other people aren’t so lucky.” Following its initial report in the Halifax Courier last month, the women have expressed being “amazed” and “overwhelmed” by the public’s response to their narrative. Susan commented, “We didn’t realise it was such a feelgood story.” She further remarked, “I can’t believe how people have taken it to their hearts.” The passage of time has not diminished the group’s desire for a special trip. To commemorate their upcoming 70th birthdays, they plan to travel to Blackpool in the new year.