HAPPY memories came surging back for Linda Casadei when she spotted a flashback photo (this page, March 25) featuring a massive load being transported, push-and-pull style, along the East Lancashire Road by two mighty Scammel lorries.

For, prominent in the background of that 1950s shot was Burkhill's Cafe where she was born and bred.

That recently-closed eatery of a million memories (it was one of my favourite boyhood haunts in the halcyon days of Carr Mill's 'Happy Valley' picnic zone) was owned by her late dad, Bob Burkhill.

Bob, a little eager-beaver of a businessman, owned a cluster of properies in that immediate area.

And Linda (49) of Bramcote Avenue, Laffak, yearns for any old-time pictures of these places.

She's snipped out that picture of the family cafe from my page.

But she would also welcome the loan of any shots of the old cattle market which once operated in Carr Mill Road and is now the site of a petrol station; and of the ancient Laffak School, now the site of a bungalow.

Her dad at one time had owned the premises and thoughts of them continue to bring back fond memories for Linda.

ANYONE able to oblige could kindly pop any relevant pictures in at the Star for my attention. I'll then pass them on to Linda.

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