MILDRED Earles lived in Bolton for the first 24 years of her life before emigrating to Australia in 1964.

She was born at Townleys Hospital, living for many years at Mercia Street, in the Deane Road area of town.

Shortly after she was born her father and mother, Leonard and Nora, separated and Mildred was left to be brought up by her mum, who worked long shifts in the mills.

She may be remembered by some people by her maiden name, Nora Halliday.

It took 50 years for Mildred to find her dad again, and he and she met up in 1992. Sadly, he died six months later.

After attending Park Street School, Farnworth, and Kearsley West Primary School, Mildred gained a place at Farnworth Grammar School in 1951.

On leaving school she worked mostly in the Co-op dental surgery, at Bridge Street, Bolton, and will be remembered by many as an active member of the Farnworth Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.

After her failed engagement to Brian Blakemore, Mildred met her first husband, Keith Guffogg and the couple married in Bolton before emigrating.

The marriage was to be short-lived, however, and they divorced shortly later.

They remain good friends and see each other often.

The Lancashire lass was not alone for long, however. Her mother emigrated and joined her in Australia and she was shortly to meet the man who still shares her life today.

Mildred married Eddie Batstone, and her first husband was a special guest at the wedding. The couple now have two married daughters, a teenage son and a grandchild.

Mildred owns and operates a successful conveyancing company called The Community Conveyancing Centre, which benefits from her 28 years' legal experience. She is well known in the Mount Martha area, where she goes by the name of Christine Batstone, her middle name.

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