I WOULD like to commend you on a very good souvenir edition on the birth of Preston as a city.

My daughter sent me a copy and I found it very interesting, having lived in Preston in my younger years until I emigrated to Canada.

But I still like to see how, and what, Preston is doing. I have so many happy memories of the place.

I have been back a few times and noticed a few changes over the years, except for Church Street and Ribbleton Lane, they really are a blight on the city.

But now that Preston is officially a city, something maybe done about the area. In the Birth of a City it mentions some famous sons and daughters.

But one very famous person who was not mentioned was Robert Service.

He was born in Winckley Square and left Preston around the age of 21 and spent most of his time in the Yukon. He was a favourite of the Queen Mother.

Another famous person was Eddie Calvert, he lived in Fairsnape Road, Ribbleton, and played the trumpet.

Thankyou once again for a very good newspaper.

Mrs R Latham, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.