Reading for "Happy Families"

"I've found you at last – together again after 50 years." Two sisters are to meet after spending 50 years apart. Ruth Cable of Bristol said today it will be an emotional reunion with her sister Gloria, who now lives in Australia.

Gloria is flying in next month after searching for her family since 1991. Big sister Ruth had also been searching – for more than 30 years.

The family reunion will also include two surviving brothers, David and Philip.

The sisters were separated after their parents' marriage broke down. Ruth's father, Harold, was left to look after five young children. But he couldn't cope with baby Gloria and she was adopted.

Gloria's search began after she emigrated in 1984. She started looking when her adopted father gave her details about her family. For the first time she learnt about Ruth and her brothers.

But her search nearly ended very fast. She soon found out that her brother Mervyn had died and was so devastated that she nearly gave up her search. She also returned to Bristol six times over the years always looking for her family.

Then Gloria asked friend and former police officer Ted Jones to help. Ted found Ruth, whose name had changed from her maiden name of Young.

Gloria phoned Ruth. "Talking to Ruth and my brothers, it felt like I'd known them for years." Gloria is planning a month-long trip to Britain to get to know Ruth and her brothers.

"There will be lots of hugs and tears," said Ruth. "Gloria and I have already discovered we have so much in common."

Print