I BUMPED into the sixties' scourge of Leigh Town Hall on Monday, former councillor Joe Knowles.

Memories came flooding back of those many late night meetings I, and fellow representatives, spent cursing him as he prolonged proceedings in the chamber. At the time he was the mighty mouth of Leigh

Although now frail and walking with a stick the fire is still in those eyes.

Joe, who later changed his surname to Venables, lives in Ashton, but was shopping in Leigh's Spinning Gate Centre.

Though he doesn't reside in the town now he admits he is still a Leyther at heart. Aren't we all?