I WAS surprised to discover Leigh Round Table's fifth beer festival and other events are to take place at the Leigh Royal British Legion Club in Windermere Road.

Believe it or not, but I thought the premises had closed down in the year I spent out of town.

Driving past the building, it looks derelict and deserted with its boarded-up windows and scruffy exterior.

Such a shame the once magnificent, bustling club, which pulled in punters from all over the area, should be allowed to fall into rack and ruin.

It's obvious there's no money in the kitty to bring the club back to it's Sixties' glory.

But surely someone could help to make it more presentable from the outside - even if it's only through local sponsorship and voluntary help.

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