READERS from around the World have once again been contacting the Journal with requests to get in touch with friends and family.

The Journal has been inundated with replies to the feedback form in the Get In Touch section on our web-site -- www.thisisleigh.co.uk.

We have been contacted on email by people from as far away as California and Australia.

Last month, we printed emails of folk wanting to get in touch and helped Eddie Worthington from Co Durham find out information about his family tree thanks to reader and local history buff Joan Szymanowski.

Ian Watkinson, from Colwyn Drive, Hindley Green: "I would like to contact anyone who attended Leigh Boys Grammar School during the years 1954 to 1961. My class included Wilf Farnworth and Keith Cooley. I am trying to arrange a reunion and will be delighted to hear from anyone of that era."

Email: ian.watkinson@lineone.net

Joanne McCarthy (nee Marren), from Lompoc in California, USA: "I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me, in particular Anita Owen, Grainne Fenton, Deb O'Donnell. I left for the US in 1991 and attended St Mary's RC High Astley."

Email: ukmisgirl@hotmail.com

Neil Ramsdale, from Irlam in Manchester: "I am trying to find David Taylor. I think he may live in Shelley Street in Leigh. I believe his mum and sister Julie still live in Abbingdon Way in Leigh. If you can help get in touch."

Email: jgramsd@aol.com

Becky Mishler Heeke, from Greencastle: "I am looking for Don and Vera Bennett or Vera's daughter Caroline. Don was a contractor

and Vera was retired from J I Case. I last visited with them in Florida USA in 1993 or 1994."

Email: jrheeke@ccrtc.com

Brigitte Cox, from Australia: "I am doing my family history. My maiden name was Grundy and my grandfather Grundy was born in Astley. Because the family before him lived in the area for several generations, I have been able to obtain quite a lot of infomation about them. Several of the family including my great great great grandparents migrated to USA in 1861 and 1869. I have a copy of an obituary for one ancestor."

Email: dbdcox@bigpond.com

Colin Merga, from Bendigo, Victoria, Australia: "I lived in Common Lane, Essex Place and Bank Street Tyldesley and attended Tyldesley Central CE School (Mission) from 1964 to 1970. I moved to Australia in 1970 and returned for a short holiday in 1999 but could not really find anyone I knew. Would like to hear from anyone that may remember. "

Email: cmerga@austarnet.com.au

Peter Marrow, from Kiama, Australia: "I lived in Atherton untill 1961 then 'shackled and shipped' Down Under. I attended St Richards School and I would like to make contact with Geoffrey Taylor. He had a brother Jack and a sister Maureen who moved down south around 1953."

Email: bobby@fishinternet.com.au

Gary Evans, from Perth, Western Australia: "I want to get in contact with anybody who went to St Mary's, Astley, 1984-1989."

E-mail: sirgevans@hotmail.com

Margaret McKiernan, no address supplied: "I lived in Tyldesley till coming to Canada in 1976, went to St Georges CE School, then onto Tyldesley Girls School. I left there in 1963 and went to work for Burtons Tailoring in Walkden, got married, had children then moved to Canada. Anyone out there who remembers me or my hubby John who went to Sacred Heart CE School in Hindsford, then on to St Mary's Astley, worked for NCB as a mechanic. Give us a shout if you hear us, OK."

E-mail: ram_noj@hotmail.com