THERE were emotional reunions as people who had not seen each other for more than 40 years recognised old friends at the ’Bygone Buriton’ event.
Former village resident Michael Harfield travelled from North Wales to attend the exhibition in the village hall on September 24, and was delighted to meet two long-lost friends, Robert Baker and Maryann Carter.
They had all taken part in the village celebration of the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
He said: “We planted a tree to mark the coronation.”
Robert, now living in West Sussex, said: “It is great to see so many old friends again.”
There was also a lot of interest in a display about the First World War.
Out of a village population of fewer than 800, almost 200 men joined the armed forces during it.
Buriton Heritage Bank spokesman Doug Jones said: “Information has been collected on about 140 of them, and the presentation explained their wartime roles.
“We want to find out more about village life during the war, and more about the parishioners who took part.”
Anyone with historical information about the parish can contact Doug Jones on 01730 231326.
The website is at: www.buriton.org.uk