PENSIONER Joyce Sims is to meet her Kiwi pen pal Waverley Neutze for the first time in over 60 years The pair have corresponded by post since 1947 and have never met before, emailed each other or spoken on the telephone.

Now Joyce, aged 80, of Broadwey, Weymouth, will come face to face with Waverley, aged 78, for the first time when she jets in from New Zealand in May.

Joyce, who is married to John, said: “I am looking forward to it.

“When we started writing it wasn’t as common for people to travel so far.

“We have both grown up and had families. It was quite a surprise to hear that Waverley was coming over. We’re just like old friends.”

Joyce added: “A little while ago Waverley’s husband passed away and I think it was a bit of a boost for her to come over here.”

Joyce and Waverley have written to each other two or three times a year.

Joyce has two children, Suzanne and Russell, and four grandchildren. She began corresponding with Waverley 62 years ago when Waverley advertised in the New Zealand Weekly News for an overseas penpal.

Waverley, who lives in Christchurch, will be travelling to Britain for the first time in May to meet Joyce.

Waverley’s daughter Karen Taylor and her husband Garth visited Joyce last year when they had a holiday in Britain.

Karen said it was interesting to meet Joyce and that she persuaded her mother to return with her this year.

Karen said: “They have never met, have never emailed and believe it or not never spoken on the telephone.

“They have simply corresponded via good, old-fashioned hand letter writing.

“During the years they have both married and had children and have followed each others’ very different lives.

“They post Christmas presents to each other every year, and mother always looks forward to her special gifts from England.

“She has many teatowels that have maps and pictures of Dorset that are never used, as she likes to refer to them as places to visit ‘if she ever had the chance’. Waverley and Karen will spend 21 days in this country – and will visit a relative in London as well as Joyce.

Joyce said: “I think people have forgotten the art of letter writing.

“It is a pleasure to get a written letter. It is very different to email.”