It’s not often that the paths of Bristol and Armenia cross, but in recent weeks and months they have. Firstly, I should point out that I spent 13 or 14 years living, studying and working in Bristol before moving to London in 1993, but most links between the South Western British city and the South Caucasus tend to revolve around Tbilisi with which it is twinned.

Nevertheless, a few months ago I ran into a well-known former British soap star from Bristol holidaying in Armenia, and a few days ago a former Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) currently based in Gavar emailed me regarding contacting any Armenians living in the city as he and his wife were planning to move there for a bit.

Now, The Bristol Evening Post — a newspaper I used to work for from 1990-93 before moving to London to start at The Independent — reports that a local receptionist is due to arrive in Armenia to work on some youth projects.

A Bristol receptionist is off to a former Soviet state to work with disadvantaged children.

Tracy Thurlow, pictured, a receptionist at Bristol property maintenance firm Integral is visiting the town of Armavir in Armenia to help set up and run two clubs for youngsters up to the age of 13.

Integral also helps to sponsor a cultural exchange between Russian children and students at the Ridings School in Winterbourne.

Tracy, of Bradley Stoke, will be working with the students helping them to improve their English and practising her Russian, which is widely spoken in Armenia.

She has already visited Russia and Romania several times, working with her local church and other volunteers to establish children’s clubs and help with a drugs rehabilitation project. Each volunteer has to fund their own travel costs and Tracy has held cake sales, mufti days, raffles and done a sponsored skydive. So far she has raised more than 1,000.

Tracy said: “I’ve been learning Russian with an audio-tape every day on my way to and from work and in my lunch hours. I’m not sure how well I’m doing as I have no one to practise with. I’m really looking forward to the trip. It’s hard work but when you get to the end of the trip and
see the difference we have made to the children, it’s all worth it.”

Bryan Glastonbury, Integral’s managing director, said: “The children’s club makes an important difference to the lives of children who have few opportunities. We are pleased to support Tracy.”

Small World.

Vulnerable Child (ARS Beneficiary), Armavir, Armavir Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2003