THE return to Kingswear of Kevin Giles and his partner, Lois, from Brisbane, Australia, saw one of the biggest home-comings the village has seen in many years.

Kevin moved to Australia more than 25 years ago and had not been back to the UK for 20 years.

So a big event was called for and the landlord at the Ship Inn, Colin Lang, did everyone proud.

More than 30 people, relatives, friends and former colleagues, from all over the country came along, as well as those still living locally including Lindsey Plummer and his sister Bernadette; David Heaton, Terry Saunders and David Lund; Ian Mills, from Brixham, Paul Pollard and Rob Little, who now live in the Cotswolds, Wendy Hemmings, Kay and Barry Knapman and Charlie Bircham. One surprise guest was Andrew Henshall, who has lived in Japan for 40 years.

Rob Little said: ‘It was a great evening, lots of photos were taken and memories were exchanged on iPhones – something that didn’t exist when Kev was last over here.

‘Before they left Brisbane, Kevin and his partner Lois asked “What clothes shall we bring... what will the weather be like...”. But with sea mists, rain and fresh breezes, it still looks like they didn’t bring enough layers!’

Kevin’s parents were best known as the owners of the Kingswear Dairy in the 1960s and he helped to deliver milk all over the village and to the surrounding farms.

In Australia, Kevin works as a shopfitter in the Brisbane area.

‘Some of us need to go out to Oz now,’ added Rob.