Reuniting old pals

Updated: 28 Jan 2025

A pair of best friends who lost touch for more than 50 years have rekindled their friendship after joining the same Oddfellows social group by coincidence.

A huge surprise

Sandra Peak and Madeline Ramowski – who was Sandra’s bridesmaid in 1969 – lost touch after Sandra moved away to begin her married life in another town.

Now, after more than 50 years of sharing little more than annual Christmas cards, the pair have revived their friendship when both – unknowingly to each other – joined a social group run by Nottingham Trent Oddfellows.

Madeline Romowski, left, was a bridesmaid at Sandra Peak's wedding in 1969.

Sandra, who joined just a few months after Madeline, said she never dreamed her former bridesmaid would be there.

She said: “Never in a million years did I think the friendship group would reunite me with my old friend! It was a complete fluke. It sounds cheesy but it’s a bit like soulmates – we’ve come back to each other after all this time.

“When I first saw it was Madeline I felt wonderful – it was so lovely to see her. On one hand it was like time hadn’t passed at all but on the other we had so much to fill each other in on. She’s so easy to get on with, it was very natural.”

Now sticking together

The pair, who worked together testing fabrics in Nottingham, lost touch when they moved away and started their families.

Fifty years later Madeline, from Wollaton in Nottingham, joined the Oddfellows to meet new people and enjoy new activities.

She said: “It’s been lovely reconnecting with Sandra. We’ve seen each other more times in the last few months than we have in the past 50 years! We’ll ring each other up a couple of times a month, mainly to see if we are each going to the next flower club or if we fancy a particular trip, and we’ll arrange to go for a cup of tea afterwards to make it last longer. It’s like having a new friendship even though we once worked side by side every day.”

Sandra, who lives on the opposite side of Nottingham to Madeline in Southwell, added: “It’s wonderful. That’s it for us, we are going to stick together now – she’s not getting rid of me!”

There are lots of things we can do together, but then there are things I can go along to on my own, like the walking tours. Sandra

Madeline, a grandmother of three, joined the Oddfellows in order to keep busy, and Sandra joined with her husband Michael, who has Parkinson’s, after learning of its supportive benefits.

Sandra, who is a grandmother of one, learned about the Oddfellows when the support group she set up for people with Parkinson’s received a donation from them.

She said: “The Oddfellows were very kind and gave us a donation for our support group. A friend was a member and she recommended the benefits. It’s incredibly reassuring, especially with a husband with a disability, that there is support there if we need it.

“The nice thing about the Oddfellows is that there are lots of things we can do together, but then there are things I can go along to on my own, like the walking tours.”

Friends reunited: Today, Madeline, left, and Sandra, right, enjoying a trip to a local farm organised by Nottingham Trent Oddfellows.

Madeline, who is a member of several clubs including Ladies Probus and The Friends of Nottingham Museums, says she likes to keep busy and particularly enjoys the Tai Chi, yoga and Qigong provided by the Oddfellows online.

She said: “I’m retired so I have time to do things I enjoy. I love meeting new people and keeping busy. The good thing about the Oddfellows is that the activities they organise are accessible. Qigong is great because you can do it stood up or sat down which suits me after my knee operation.”

Karen Pye-Smith, Branch Secretary of Nottingham Trent Oddfellows, said: “We are thrilled to have a played a part in helping Madeline and Sandra reconnect.

“It’s a great testament to the Oddfellows that no matter who you are or where you come from, you will find a new friend – and perhaps even an old one! We have a whole range of events, from the flower arranging and guided walks Madeline and Sandra enjoy, to yoga, quiz nights and bowling.”

Madeline added: “Reconnecting with Sandra has reminded me of how important it is to have good friends in your life to share things with. I’d encourage everyone to give a friendship group a try, because you never know what surprise might be waiting for you!”

Oddfellows friendship groups

Throughout September, the Oddfellows is celebrating Friendship Month and will be hosting hundreds of local taster events and online open days designed to make newcomers feel especially welcome and show them the benefits of joining a friendship group.

You can find your nearest by using our Branch Finder, or use our Events Finder to search for social events and activities happening near to where you live or online.

Contact us to request your free information pack and local events diary.

Read more advice on making friends and building social confidence in our friendship guides section.