MEMORIES stirred by this ancient page don't just linger on - they also drift far and wide.

Fred Hesp junior, of Poulton-le-Fylde, is the latest "far-offer" to join our nostalgia gang, after spotting my recent flashback photo featuring players and officials of several decades ago taking part in the famous old Providence Hospital bowls championship.

He writes from his Highcross Road home: "Standing on the right is my late father, Fred Hesp senior, and I notice that he is wearing his bowls referee's badge. He was probably acting in that capacity when the photograph was taken.

"He served for many years in the old St Helens Borough Police Force, retiring with the rank of inspector, after which he worked for some time at British Sidac, Sutton Oak."

Son Fred knows that the memory-jerking picture was taken at least 30 years ago, as his father left St Helens in 1966 to live in Blackpool.

Two lady fans of this page also chipped in with some trundling information.

Mrs M. Barrow of Boundary Road spotted her dad, Bert Webster, on the pictorial blast from the past. She puts the date as 1954 and reveals that Bert was runner-up. Sadly, he died the following year.

Mrs B also enclosed a 42-year-old newspaper clipping reporting on how Bert, who had won the Providence as far back as 1928 (26 years earlier) was beaten 21-17 by Peter Smith (Grapes Hotel) in a titanic struggle.

The gallant veteran had led 17-16 when bad luck struck. Lying one-in, he over-reached with his last delivery to tap the jack to his opponent's bowl - and Smith went on to victory from there.

For the benefit of our huge veteran bowling fraternity who still recall that 1954 classic, here's the final day results, with many a memory-stirring trundling giant from the past among 'em:

Last eight: G. Lunt 21 R.Lee 15; B. Webster 21 J.Keegan 20; W.Forber 21 E. Kew 14; P.Smith 21 A.Burrows 15. Semi-finals: B.Webster 21 G.Lunt 19; P.Smith 21 W.Forber 15. Final: P.Smith 21 B.Webster 17.

Mrs M.Tucker also recognised her dad, Aaron Fairhurst, a past Providence winner, in the 1954 group.

And, she wonders: "Where did the Providence Bowling Trophy get to?"

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