Good deed saves holiday for 95-year-old Tom
FOR 95-year-old Tom Watters it seemed as if his holiday plans were in tatters. Tom who has impaired sight and hearing and who lives near St Albans city centre, was shopping in the market when he lost his bag containing his passport and holiday money, whic
FOR 95-year-old Tom Watters it seemed as if his holiday plans were in tatters.
Tom who has impaired sight and hearing and who lives near St Albans city centre, was shopping in the market when he lost his bag containing his passport and holiday money, which he had just withdrawn from the bank.
Scots-born Tom searched the market making his plight known to some of the stallholders, but after an hour or so he reluctantly accepted the bag and contents were gone.
He said: "I reported the matter to the police and returned home."
To his delight, an hour later the bag was delivered intact to his home. One of the stallholders had spotted it and gave it to the market manager who opened it, found his address and personally delivered it to Tom.
Tom said: "It just goes to show some of the market traders might appear rough and tough but their hearts are in the right place. My heartfelt thanks go to all concerned for their kindness and consideration."
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He will now be able to go on holiday to Edinburgh to stay with his niece after all. He plans to take the 321 bus to Luton Airport where he can show his passport to Easyjet as his photo ID and his niece will pick him up the other end.
Tom is a big fan of bus travel and he goes out most days visiting places in the area to keep his mind and body active.
He said: "I am lucky enough to be mobile and I look after myself but it could be lonely if you don't keep yourself busy and interested."
The former aircraft fitter lost his wife Constance to Alzheimer's 18 years ago. They met during the Spanish Civil War where Tom was an ambulance driver.
They moved to St Albans during the Second World War when Tom worked first for Handley Page, then later for de Havilland until he retired aged 64.
