Poignant postcard from Oz turns up (From Stroud News and Journal)

Poignant postcard from Oz turns up

A TOUCHING postcard written a century ago by a homesick former Stroud resident living in Australia has resurfaced thanks to a local collector.

Written by a woman called Pearl to a Mr and Mrs Gabb, the card is thought to have been written in 1909 and features a picture of the School of Arts in the Aussie town of Penrith.

In the poignant letter, Pearl bemoans the hot Australian climate and adds:

"I dreamt the other night that I was on my way back home to England but alas it was only a dream.

"I have met such a lot of English people that have lately emigrated over here, and they are all so nice."

Cigarette card enthusiast Tony Shortt, also a Stroud District councillor, made the chance discovery after buying a bundle of old cards from an auction in Amberley.

Fascinated by the card, he sent a copy of the text to the Penrith City Library, who said the writer was the daughter of a well-known emigrant family.

"The School of Arts was built by Thomas Clissold in 1909," said librarian Lorraine Stacker.

"His daughter Pearl is the author on the back. Her grandfather George Clissold brought his family to Penrith from Gloucestershire in the late 1850s."

The town of Penrith is in the Australian state of New South Wales, which already has strong connections to the Five Valleys.

The towns of Stroud and Chalford both appear on the maps, and there is even a place called Randwick in Sydney.

Can you shed any light on the characters mentioned on the card? Call Will Saunders in the SNJ newsroom on 01453 769422.