Reading your story, Brief encounter on touring bus, Hereford Times , December 31, about the couple from Fownhope meeting another Herefordian in South America reminded me of a situation I encountered a couple of years ago in the Philippines.

We have an orphanage in Cebu, Philippines and one Sunday after Church I took the supervisor to lunch with the children.

I was aware that there was a group at a nearby table who were British but was unable to detect by the lady's accent where she was from.

Curiosity got the better of me so as we were leaving I asked her where she was from.

She replied saying I doubt if I had ever heard of her home town. Try me I said. I come from the county of Hereford, a place called Kington she replied.

I then informed her I also came from Hereford, Moreton-on-Lugg in fact.

They lady was the honorary consul for the UK government. I told her she did not have an Herefordian accent. Laughingly she replied she had to have speech lessons otherwise people wouldn't understand her.. I left Hereford 48 years ago to live in Australia.

Every now and then I come "home to Hereford" and when I come in August 2016 it will probably my last trip as I will be in my 70th year

David Evans

Springwood, Queensland, Australia