Son in search for missing dad (From Gazette & Herald)

Son in search for missing dad

RESIDENTS of a Ryedale market town have been called on by a district councillor to help a young man trace his father.

James Nightingale, 22, of Castleford, is searching for his father, Robert Vose, who he believes used to live and work in Malton from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Mr Nightingale contacted Ryedale District Councillor Stephen Preston via the council website and asked for his help in locating his dad.

"For the past few months I have been helping James in the search to find his father. James has never met his father. It has been like trying to put together a giant jigsaw puzzle with 90 per cent of the pieces missing. Any snippet that we came across has led to a dead end. We need help," said Coun Preston.

The scant amount of information that the pair have is that Mr Vose is thought to have lived at his mother's bed and breakfast at either 88 or 90 Newbiggin, Malton. His mother died in the late 1970s or early 1980s.

He used to work in the vicinity of Malton Train Station, perhaps at the former Malton Fertilisers or slaughterhouse on the Woolgrowers site.

Mr Nightingale made a plea for anyone with information that might help him track down his father, to get in touch. He said: "If anyone knows the whereabouts of Mr Vose, the name of the person who used to own the bed and breakfast, or anyone who used to live at the address during the timescale as per above, please contact Coun Steve Preston."

Mr Preston, of Milton Avenue, Peasey Hill, Malton, said he was pleased that Mr Nightingale had contacted him using the website and said he was happy to help.

"I like a challenge and when somebody asks me for help I do what I can. I've lived round here all my life - I was born and bred in the area. I'd ask anyone who knows anything to get in touch."

To contact Coun Preston call him on 01653 695788, visit www.ryedale.gov.uk, or write to him at 50 Milton Avenue, Peasey Hill, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LB.

Updated: 12:22 Wednesday, January 05, 2005