A woman was left shocked after finding a never seen before photo of her mother who died three years ago.
Christine Craig could not believe her eyes when she opened Monday’s edition of the Daily Echo.
Looking back at her was her mother Patricia Callaway, who was photographed in the Southampton Aviary in 1988.
It was part of a feature in the heritage section.
This was the first newspaper she has bought in three decades - and Christine believes it was fate.
The 57-year-old from Lordshill said: “A man recently knocked on my door canvassing and trying to sell me the Daily Echo.
“He said it was full of local news, and he persuaded me to sign up and have it delivered.
“It came through my door on Monday, September 2, morning and I saw the picture of mum in the aviary.
“I had to put my glasses on when I first saw the picture but I knew it was her. She was a brilliant knitter and used to wear cardigans like the one in the picture.”
Christine has many fond memories of spending time with her mother, which included several visits to the aviary nestled within East Park.
It was home to a diverse collection of birds, and the pair would enjoy taking in their surroundings.
READ MORE: Southampton Bird Aviary in East Park through the years
Christine said: “I grew up in Southampton and I have great memories of visiting the aviary, I loved it there.
“I went with mum quite often, and every time we were in the city centre we would visit.
“Both of us would walk through it together, and even my niece tells me about the times her nan took her.
“Mum used to go and stay there for ages to watch the birds.
“When it was knocked down, she was really upset, and she could not believe it.”
Patricia passed away in 2021 at the age of 83.
“I really do believe this is fate, I feel comfort from seeing mum,” Christine added.
Over its 89-year existence, the aviary had generated thousands of pounds, mostly for the former Children's Hospital in Southampton.
It was originally near Upper Prospect Place but was later in the north-west corner of the park, near Above Bar Street, from 1934.
All birds were captured and rehomed before the council demolished the attraction in the middle of the night in 1993.
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