I HAVE just purchased a book of photographs taken by John Eddleston (who I believe is now in a retirement home in Southport). With the help of many people, including Peter Street who financed the book, a wonderful trip down memory lane began.

We lived in Blackburn for a few years and I went to school then went on to work so it evoked such memories, things I thought I had forgotten about.

The front cover shows Thwaites arcade and on Thursday morning all you could hear when walking through was heavy breathing. All the many assistants were out in the arcade cleaning their shop windows, and if the marks wouldn't come off, well, you had to breathe heavily on the glass to get it off!

As Thursday was half day this was the morning job before closing down for the day. I worked on King William Street at Benefit shoe shop, across from us were Timpsons and Tru Form, then Kenyons where we bought our morning cakes, if and when we felt flush, probably only on pay day!

Further along were Harry le Moine's jewellers and Booth's grocers.

The markets were by the clock tower, which was beside the Town Hall. The clock had a golden ball on a pole at the apex of the tower. This would move up to the top of the pole on the hour.

Seymour Meads, Maypole, Weaver to Wearer, the 50 shilling tailors! Saxone shoes and many names I had forgotten.

Thank you so much to all who helped make this publication possible. The book is simply called 1963 Blackburn -- a proud town. At £5, each copy it is worth every penny. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip.

MAUREEN W ARNFIELD, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors.