Man reunited with lost wallet after 35 years after it was found in walls of St Ives One Leisure
Richard Lane with his wallet that was returned to him after 35 years. - Credit: Archant
THE owner of a wallet found within the walls of One Leisure Centre in St Ives after 35 years has been tracked down and reunited with his long-lost accessory.
A wallet has been found at St Ives One Leisure, after 35 years, by electricians (l-r) Tony Noé and Richard Thompson, of Roger Budge Electricals, - Credit: Archant
Richard Lane, who lived in The Wilderness, St Ives, during the 1970s when the wallet went missing, received it back on Monday after numerous Hunts Post readers got in contact to help us find the 58-year-old.
“It’s amazing, absolutely amazing that the wallet’s been found,” said Mr Lane.
“I’ve been contacted by a lot of my friends who still live in the area and my mother to let me know. It’s the only wallet I’ve ever lost.
“I thought that someone had stolen it. It looks like someone has taken about £10 to £15 out of it then chucked it into the lift shaft to hide it. I was living at my parents’ home at the time and was free and single, so I spent a lot of time at the centre, playing squash and swimming.”
In Mr Lane’s wallet was an original gym membership card, his driving licence, payment records, guarantees and a trade union membership card for SOGAT for when, as a 23-year-old, he worked at St Neots printing firm Samuel Jones & Co.
The former St Ivo School student moved from St Ives in 1985 and now lives in Evesham, Worcestershire.
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His wallet was found by Tony Noé and Richard Thompson. They made the discovery while working on the £4million redevelopment of the Huntingdonshire District Council-run leisure centre. The wallet was found by the Roger Budge Electricals contractors behind a wall on the top floor, near the lift shaft.
Simon Bell, One Leisure general manager, said: “Our lost property policy is only to keep items for three months but we are delighted to make this exception for Mr Lane and keep his property safe for 35 years!
“Now we know that Mr Lane was a keen squash player it helps explain why the wallet was found where it was as there used to be squash courts in the same area – it’s now where the new Impressions gym is located.”
Mr Noé said: “All of the contractors working on the redevelopment have been amazed that an item like this can remain undiscovered for so long and especially in perfect condition. I am grateful that One Leisure contacted The Hunts Post to ask for help to find the owner.”
