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In the summer of 1972, four teenage girls embarked on a carefree vacation to Torquay, a seaside town nestled in the heart of Devon. Marion Bamforth, Sue Morris, Carol Ansbro, and Mary Helliwell, all 17 at the time, were enjoying their first taste of independence, away from home, living in a rented caravan, and exploring the sun-kissed beaches of southern England. The trip was filled with youthful energy, laughter, and the kind of moments that only friends share late nights, flirty exchanges with boys, and secrets swapped under the stars.
Courtesy Sue Morris
During that unforgettable trip, a roving photographer captured a moment that would become an emblem of their friendship. The four friends, arm in arm, smiling and laughing on a beach promenade, were immortalized in that picture, the background dotted with the classic sights of the 1960s: mini skirts, flip-flops, and even a vintage Ford Corsair in the distance. Over the years, the photo not only represented that singular vacation but also became a touchstone of their lifelong bond.
More than five decades later, the four women, now in their 70s found themselves reminiscing about their time in Torquay. Sue Morris, the dedicated keeper of their memories, had long cherished that iconic photo. She often found herself reflecting on the carefree days of their youth, so much so that it sparked an idea. “Why not recreate this moment?” Sue suggested. “It would be a fitting way to mark our 70th birthdays and celebrate the decades of memories we’ve shared.”
At first, her friends were hesitant. The thought of squeezing into outfits resembling their teenage selves, particularly those mini skirts from the early ’70s, didn’t seem all that appealing. After all, the trip was planned for late fall, and the idea of wearing vintage summer clothes in chilly October didn’t seem like the most comfortable option. But Sue, ever the optimist and organizer, eventually convinced her friends that the photo recreation would be a joyful and meaningful experience.
With determination, they set off to find the perfect outfits scouring thrift stores and online marketplaces in search of clothes that would resemble the ones they had worn back in 1972. They hunted for brightly colored blouses and matching skirts, eager to replicate the look from their youth. The process of rediscovering the past wasn’t just about the clothes, though it was about recapturing the magic of those carefree days and the bond they had built over the years.
When the group arrived in Torquay, they wasted no time in finding the location where the original photo had been taken. The streets of Torquay, although changed with time, still held the spirit of their youth. The women, now well into their 70s, stood in the same spot, surrounded by the familiar sights of the seaside, but this time with a more profound sense of nostalgia.
They quickly realized that some adjustments were necessary to make the outfits work. The weather was cooler than expected, and some clothing items didn’t fit quite as they remembered. But, in true friendship style, the group worked together to make it work. In a public bathroom, they helped each other get into their old-fashioned clothes, laughing at the absurdity of it all. “We didn’t want to walk around in those outfits all day,” Sue admits with a smile.
The photo shoot was full of laughs, creativity, and a few moments of improvisation Carol Ansbro even had to “hack off” the bottom of her shirt when it didn’t quite fit. But with the help of their friends, Jane and Carole, the group managed to perfectly recreate their youthful pose. Arms linked, they walked along the same promenade, their faces lit up with the same joy they had felt all those years ago.
When the new photo was taken and placed side by side with the original, the friends couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with emotion. “It was both emotional and elating,” says Sue. “It brought us back to that time when we were so young and carefree.” The smiles, the energy, the bond they were all still there, frozen in time.
Courtesy Jane Brook and Carole Connell
What started as a small idea soon turned into something much bigger. The women submitted their story to the Halifax Courier, their local newspaper in West Yorkshire. The story, accompanied by the photos, quickly caught the public’s attention. Within days, it spread across social media, with many people inspired by the women’s example of friendship and the idea of recreating their own cherished memories. “Every day, it was somewhere else,” Sue recalls. “We were amazed.”
Many people commented, saying that they too wanted to recreate a favorite photo with their friends when they retired, and some even shared their own experiences of lifelong friendships. For the women, it was a reminder of how important it is to make time for the people you love, no matter how busy life gets. Sue believes that friendship is all about “making time” and not letting those connections slip away.
Although the women’s lives have taken different paths some are still close to each other, while others live further afield, like Carol in Spain their bond remains as strong as ever. The group stays in touch via WhatsApp and regular video calls, sharing memories, jokes, and even planning their next adventure. They recently started planning a trip to Blackpool, a seaside town in the north of England, in January.
For Sue, Marion, Carol, and Mary, the joy of recreating that 1972 photograph was more than just about nostalgia. It was about celebrating the beauty of friendship, the memories they have created, and the enduring love they share. “At 17, we were so giddy and excited to be together,” says Carol. “And now, at 70, we’re still just as giddy.” The essence of their friendship hasn’t changed with age it has only deepened.
Through all the ups and downs of life marriages, children, losses, and triumphs these women have always been there for each other. As Marion reflects, “We’ve gone through a lot, but we’ve always been there for each other. That’s the beauty of our friendship.”
For these lifelong friends, the recreated photo was a beautiful way to honor their shared past. But even more importantly, it was a celebration of the enduring strength of a bond that has lasted for over five decades.
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