WHILE we hold our breath in eager anticipation of August's total eclipse of the sun (and the souvenir sellers and hotel trade get set to make a killing near the best vantage spots) a pensioner reader recalls the last time that this amazing event happened.

Our memory man wishes to remain anonymous but points out that he is a proud ex-Lowe House boxer. And he's left wondering how many, from among the hundreds who stood alongside him during that amazing moment in 1927, will have survived to experience this year's repeat happening.

"We Gerrards Bridgers gathered on Hardshaw Field, very rough terrain then in the unadopted Strickland Street, opposite the Pilkington works lodge in College Street.

"Mrs Lomax (her family were always referred to as the Lummoxes) kept the Clarendon pub open all night to mark the event - but it was a strictly 'no children' arrangement."

The veteran ex-boxer adds: "I was eight at the time. My father was working on production at the Plate Works and he brought home some pieces of 'arc screen' to witness the eclipse through."

Our 80-year-old correspondent didn't realise, until nearly 10 years later when he himself become a PB employee, just how valuable that particular see-through product was. "I didn't dare tell the Pilks boss that I had handled the stuff before!"

WONDER if any other old-timers can provide their own personal description of that amazing eclipse of 72 years ago? If so, please drop me a line at the Star.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.