Toowoomba woman Emma Dowley leaves Beatrix Potter book in North Toowoomba home’s walls, and reconnects with new owner

While performing basic renovations on his cottage, a Toowoomba man made an interesting discovery left behind by the home’s former resident that led him down a rabbit-hole of discovery and childhood memories.

Andrew Fletcher found a Beatrix Potter book with a message written in it in a wall while renovating his Toowoomba home. Picture: Kevin Farmer

When Emma Dowley (nee Dalton) was 10 years old she and her family moved into a North Toowoomba cottage where the walls were painted pink and green.

Whether it was the afternoons spent reading Anne of Green Gables in the sunshine by the front door, watching The Brady Bunch in the loungeroom or riding her bike up and down the driveway, Ms Dowley has many special memories spent at her former home.

Andrew Fletcher found a Beatrix Potter book with a message written in it in a wall while renovating his Toowoomba home. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Just before her 13th birthday, the Dalton family moved but not before Ms Dowley left her mark.

She stashed several treasures behind its walls for the next residents to find, including an old newspaper, coins and most importantly a copy of Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes.

More than a decade later and now aged 25, Ms Dowley was contacted by Andrew Fletcher, who now lives in the house and discovered the sweet find when he was installing insulation.

Going off nothing but the words “to whoever finds it in wall” written in the first page of the book as well as Ms Dowley’s name, Mr Fletcher took to social media with a desire to find her.

Andrew Fletcher found a Beatrix Potter book with a message written in it in a wall while renovating his Toowoomba home. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“As a child I imagined someone uncovering the book in a distant version of the future when I was long gone,” Ms Dowley said.

“I’m only sorry I’m not a wise, old woman with interesting tales of a Toowoomba gone by.”

Purchasing the book from a thrift store many years ago, Ms Dowley said she picked a Beatrix Potter book for its nostalgic and vintage feel.

Mr Fletcher, who has lived in the house with his family for a few years now, said he looked forward to inviting Ms Dowley over one day to see how the house has changed.

“I had a bit of a giggle when I found it,” he said.

“Emma told me her parents encouraged her and her siblings to hide things in the wall, so there could be a few more things hiding in there.”

Andrew Fletcher found a Beatrix Potter book with a message written in it in a wall while renovating his Toowoomba home. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Fletcher said he planned to write something in the book too before placing it back inside the wall for the next homeowners to find.

“I’m thankful Andrew has allowed for such a wholesome story to be shared with our community at a time like this,” Ms Dowley said.

“We are all in need of a simple yet uplifting tale involving a humble, old house in our town.”

Ms Dowley, who loves to read and is now a mum, has since purchased the entire boxset of Beatrix Potter stories to read to her daughters.