worlds-oldest-p-925197

A collect of Celesta Byrne with family members in 2002. SSee SWNS story SWLNpenpal. Two pen pals who have corresponded since the 1930's say they have shifted to emails and Zoom calls rather than letters - after both turned 100. Centenarians Geoff Banks from Honiton, Devon, and Celesta Byrne from the United States started writing to each other aged just 16 in 1938. They met as part of an educational project to put British and American students in contact - and 84 years later are still corresponding. Former engineer Geoff even kept in touch during the Second World War when he served as a mechanic on British aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious in the Pacific theatre.