A retired accountant from Devon is seeking to reconnect with a longtime friend last seen nearly two decades ago. Gerald Tompkins-Greene, 66, who lived in Wandsworth, London, during the 1990s and early 2000s, is looking for Mark Hollis, a former neighbour and social companion. The two men regularly socialised with their wives and played golf on weekends, with Hollis notably more serious about the sport.

Tompkins-Greene last saw Hollis in 2002, shortly before relocating to Frankfurt, Germany, for work. The friends maintained contact for a couple of years after the move but eventually lost touch. He believes Hollis may have moved abroad as well, given Hollis’s career as a management consultant and interest in international work opportunities. Since returning to the UK two years ago, Tompkins-Greene has been reflecting on past connections and hopes to reunite with his old friend. “It would be good to get together over a few beers and catch up on each other’s lives,” he said.

In a related development, a different search for a university acquaintance has yielded some encouraging results. David Young, who sought to find fellow alumnus David Chadwick in 2023, reported that although Chadwick has not been located, the appeal sparked renewed contact among graduates of University Hall Buckland near Oxford, where both studied between 1973 and 1976. Several former students, including retired judges, solicitors, and barristers, responded to the outreach, resulting in a successful reunion. The group has since organised a repeat gathering in August, suggesting the event may become an ongoing tradition.

These efforts highlight the enduring value of reconnecting with old friends and colleagues, aided by public appeals and shared memories.