COFFEY Time reader Alan Green was one of those who came up with the answer to this photo puzzler.

He wrote: "I used to live in the Pocket Nook area and this shop is Charie Creevey's. It was a newsagents, sweet shop, come what may as were all shops in those days.

"Before that it used to be Charlie's family's chip shop and his sister ran it. Charlie's first shop was in the old Nancy further down the street. I think it was about the late 40s early 50s when they converted the chip shop into the building in this photo."

Another correspondent said: "The picture in Coffey Time is Charlie Creevey's on Pocket Nook Street in the 50s or 60s. I remember buying three Uncle Joe's for three old pence on the way to school and New Yorker ice cream follies. Charlie's was a newsagent and sweatshop but sold of other things including paraffin."

I still sing that old refrain about Uncle Joe's Mint Balls I learned decades ago from Mike Harding.

Chorus (to be sung after each verse)

Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls keep you all aglow

Give ‘em to your grannie and watch the beggar go

Away with coughs and sniffles, take a few in hand

Suck ‘em and see, you’ll agree

They’re the best in all the land

Meanwhile, Enid Pennington from the Friends of the Theatre Royal dropped me a note thanking me for the recent piece in the Star about the Heritage Network awards.

She wrote: "Quite a nice article Chris. Especially seeing people like Mary Presland were recognised for all her hard work over the years. It at least lets people know that culture is still thought of as important in the town.

"I looked for you at the end of the Ken Dodd show but you had gone. He sent word for us to wait and after the audience had left he joined us. We were with him until after 1.30pm. We had lots of photos taken with him which will come in useful for publicity and he says he wants to continue helping us by providing prizes for raffles etc.

"The Friends of the Theatre Royal have arranged a fundraising banquet at Mr Chan's on Thursday, December 3 for 7pm to 7.30pm. Tickets cost £19. Could you possibly advertise it to the public for us and ask anyone interested to contact me on 0151 426 6180. It would be a great help.

"I hope you are joining us at the Jacki Bond Night on January 16."

(Yes I hope to do so. Anyone who knows these musicians know how good they are)