A FORMER Huddersfield man is hoping to be reunited with his schoolfriends 35 years after emigrating to Canada.

Stephen Holmes, who now lives in Vancouver, is planning a reunion in September for his classmates from Spring Grove Junior, Infant and Nursery School in Springwood.

The reunion will coincide with 63-year-old Mr Holmes's visit to a Huddersfield schoolfriend, Gerald Pilkington.

The two men were reunited last year, when Mr Holmes published a book, Woodargon, based on his early years in Huddersfield.

Mr Pilkington features in the book under a pseudonym as it details his and Mr Holmes' schoolboy adventures.

The book then heads into the realms of fantasy when the schoolboy heroes discover Robin Hood's Grave.

They travel back in time to discover the outlaw's dying wish and a prophecy they must fulfil.

Mr Holmes said: "The book is not terribly well written, but the storyline is promising. The story came about as a spin-off of my biography, which I wrote mainly for my grandson."

As well as locating Mr Pilkington, Mr Holmes has found two other classmates.

He said: "I've been away from my birthplace too long and I would love to have a reunion and reminisce on my childhood."

Mr Holmes, a computer graphics designer, is also keen to track down his two cousins, Margaret and Jean.

Their maiden name was Popplewell and the last address he has for them is in Golcar.

Mr Holmes - who was born in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary - has not been to his home town since emigrating to Canada with his mother, Edith, in 1956.

She brought him up alone after his father was killed in the Second World War.

Mrs Holmes worked in mills in Lindley and as a car valet and a cinema usher before deciding to make a better life for herself and Stephen in Canada.

He said: "Mum had a vision of a better life for us and her determination and courage made it all happen."

Since then, Mr Holmes has lived in New Zealand for seven years and Scotland - the home country of his wife of 38 years, Patsy - for two. Patsy, 56, is from Glasgow.

As well as planning the reunion, Mr Holmes is busy painting, mainly wildlife scenes. He is also writing a follow-up to Woodargon.

The Last Woodargon tells how the grandson of the previous book's hero is trying to stop a madman who has created a mist-shrouded world full of clones.

Phone Mr Pilkington on 01484 301885.