A RELATIONSHIP of words forged between two architects more than 50 years ago has led to an emotional meeting between families.

American Meade Crane, a musician from Seattle, wrote to the Free Press in October looking for relatives of the late Eric Bird, an architectural correspondent from High Wycombe who wrote to his grandfather Hubert Crane from 1947 to 1959.

His efforts finally paid off last week when he came face to face with Simon Bird, the son of the man he had come to learn so much about, after he discovered a trunk full of letters between his grandfather and Mr Bird, last year.

Retired Technician Simon Bird, 67, from Marlow Bottom Road, Marlow Bottom, delighted in showing Mr Crane around Buckinghamshire and London, allowing him to see the places he had read so much about.

Mr Bird said: "It was enthralling to read through the hundreds of letters my father and Hubert Crane wrote and was incredible to share stories about the two men and find out how similar they were in many ways.

"Among the places we visited was Monks Risborough where my father lived around the time he wrote the letters and we also met up with my two brothers."

Their lives crossed in 1947 after Hubert Crane wrote to the architectural journal RIBA for a penpal.

Mr Bird, who was the editor of the journal, was delighted to correspond to the American and their relationship was born.

Mr Crane said: "They talked of everything, from politics and architecture to family and it was wonderful to read about family times that we had long since forgotten until now.

"I'm sure both men would be delighted to know their letters have led to this incredible meeting. Times were different then and unfortunately they never had a chance to meet."