A GROUP of pensioners who have only properly met twice since their childhoods have reminisced about life growing up in a rural village.

It took several years to get the women – all in their 70s – together after Angela Stevenson floated the idea of a reunion so they could chat about their formative years in Barton, near Darlington.

Mrs Stevenson, who now lives in Heighington and co-ordinated the reunion, said they remembered school days and paddling in the beck that ran through the centre of the village.

They also recalled sledging down hills during the winter and swapped stories about ex-boyfriends.

The reunion was held at the Ralph Fitz Randal pub, in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

One attendee, Jean Stewart said: “I really enjoyed seeing everyone again - times like that sometimes make me wish I still lived at Barton.”