A POIGNANT message from Berrow crossed continents, time and space to ease an American woman's heartache over losing her brother.

Robin Gay from Woodstock in the USA came to the UK five years ago to visit her daughter. During her stay, the pair took a trip to Portobello Market in Notting Hill, London.

While rummaging through the treasures Robin found a small book of poems written by Robert D Hurst in Berrow, Somerset, in 1939.

Robin, whose brother David died two years earlier, said a message written in the front changed her life forever.

She told the Weekly News: “Thanksgiving was fast approaching at the time and it was only our second holiday season without David.

“Sadness clouded everything. One morning I picked up the little volume from Noting Hill. I hadn't really given it a thorough going over since I bought it.

“Little did I know I was being given a gift, a gift from 1938, a gift from Somerset.”

The message read: “There are two ways of treating the memories of past joys. One is to mourn over their loss and make them a source of melancholy and regret.

“The other is to count them among our treasures of blessings and keep them always as a reason for thankfulness.”

Now Robin is appealing to any Weekly News readers who may know where this poem has come from and may have information on the author.

She added: “I've so often wondered who the author was and what losses he was talking about. It was a powerful message then with the loss of my brother.

“I hope this will be of interest and also touch someone whose heart is broken during this Christmas season.”

Do you have any information on this book of poems? Contact the Weekly News on 01278-727962 or email newsdesk@burnhamnews.co.uk.