A CARDIGAN woman is determined to track down the owner a letter written more than 75 years ago.

Jane Roche found the letter dated September 17, 1941 as she was shopping at Aldi in the town a couple of weeks ago.

The letter was on the floor outside the supermarket and Jane believes it could have huge sentimental value to whoever dropped it and would love to return it.

“It was a fairly wet and windy day and I saw it and at first thought it was a shopping list and I was going to pick it up and throw it in the bin,” said Jane, who owns the Fisherman’s Rest café and restaurant on Quay Street.

“However, when I had a closer look I realised it was not a list and I just stuck it in my bag and forgot about it. It was not until I had a closer look later and unfolded it that I realised it was actually a letter and I could not believe it had been written back in 1941.”

The excellent condition of the letter, despite its age, makes Jane think it could hold special memories for somebody and that it has probably fallen out of someone’s purse or wallet.

She has asked the supermarket manager if anyone has reported it lost but to no avail and has also done some research of her own in a bid to trace the owner.

“The letter is addressed to ‘My dear Joan’ and is from an address in Bengeo, Hertford,” said Jane, who has contacted the county archivist in Hertfordshire to see if they can shed any light on the owner.

“It mentions a stay in Tenby, an evacuee youngster, what looks like the name ‘Bence’ and is signed by Mick and Gil. If anyone out there knows who it belongs to, I would be delighted if they got in touch.

“I think the letter tells a tremendous story and given that it was written at the height of the Second World War, is an insight into people’s lives back then and paints a totally different picture of life.

“I am sure it means something special to someone.”

If you know who the letter belongs to contact Jane at the Fisherman’s Rest on 01239 612359. If the letter is not claimed, Jane says she will donate it to the Hertfordshire archivists who see it as an important piece of local social history.