Message in a bottle brought pen pals together over 60 years ago

Jim, now 82, was walking along Foulney Island, near Roa Island, when he found a bottle washed up on the shore containing a message.

The note had been sent by a girl called Mary, from Dublin in Ireland, and read: ‘I am ten, if you’re under a hundred please write to me.’

(Image: Jim Monan) Jim, who was 21 years old at the time, decided to write back. Mary replied and the two have regularly kept in touch over the past six decades.

When Mary got married, she invited Jim and his wife to her wedding and the two met for the first time.

“I last saw her 49 years ago at her wedding,” Jim said. “Until we arranged a meeting a few weeks ago in Manchester.”

The duo have kept in touch throughout the important moments of their lives. Over the decades, the pair have exchanged letters once a month and sent presents and gifts on birthdays and at Christmas.

“I’m not very technical so I don’t do the internet,” Jim said. “I’m a bit old fashioned really.”

Three weeks ago, Jim received a call from Mary, who explained that she and her husband were visiting their daughter who lives in Manchester and she asked if he would like to meet.

Jim met Mary and her husband in Manchester (Image: Jim Monan) Jim got the train from Barrow to Manchester with his youngest daughter.

They met Mary and her husband in the city and the four of them went to a café where they spent several hours talking.

Jim said they had a 'lovely day' and lunch together and 'spent the whole time smiling'.

Jim said it was ‘marvellous’ to see his friend.

“You can tell by the photographs which show how happy we were to see each other," he said.

They enjoyed a lovely day in the city (Image: Jim Monan) Jim still has the message that started it all and has kept it safe all these years.

“Mary and her husband were just so friendly,” Jim said. “It was lovely to meet her. It was a happy time, and that’s what we need in this world.”