THIS old photo stirred a response from Steve Wainwright.

It says at the bottom 'The Oldest Established in St Helens'. The photo is actually the front of a postcard which is blank on the back.

Steve Wainwright said: "You asked about Burchall's Pawnbrokers in Coffey Time on April 30. The family firm was situated in Market Street in St Helens. In January 1847 James McCave and John Wilson were both sent to prison for a month for smashing one of Burchall's windows. They did it for fun telling the police that they were making work for glaziers.

"Their enterprise didn't impress the Liverpool Mercury who described them as 'impudent vagabonds'. Then in December 1856 burglars Patrick Riley and Michael Minogue were both sent to prison for six years after breaking into the shop via the cellar. The pawnbrokers was then owned by John Burchall and the thieves stole 60 gold rings and nine watches.

"Partner James Burchall was secretary of the Liverpool Literacy and Philosophical Society and in April 1869 a deputation met Charles Dickens at the Adelphi Hotel.

"A presentation of an illustrated address featuring Dickens' characters was made and Burchall read out a generous tribute to the famous author. In 1889 William Burchall broke up his partnership with brother James and appears to have set up his own pawnbrokers in Ormskirk Street but was made bankrupt ten years later. His brother became a magistrate in 1892 and was also a councillor and member of Prescot Board of Guardians.

"When James Burchall died in 1905 he was living in Blackpool and was described in one obituary as 'one of the best known public men in St Helens'."

Kevin Finney added: "Burchalls was at the side of the old market hall. You approached it from Church Street past Redmans turning left then right. You could also approach from the other route near land that was used was very temporary for old outdoor market in one of its moves. One favourite haunt was a little cafe at the corner to the left hand side of Burchalls. Does anyone remember its name?"

Keith Atherton wrote: "Immediately after the war I recall going with my mother into what I think was that shop. It sold, among other things, drum sticks and other musical equipment. It was sited in the old Market Square on the corner almost directly opposite the entrance to the square from Church Street on the other side of the central market hall.

"The side of the shop on the right of the picture was on the road leading out of the square to Tontine Street."

I received this email from Alan Clarke: "I was born in the cottage hospital in 1949 and lived in Sutton at No1 Ellen Gardens near the Labour Club. In those days double decker buses used to get stuck near the railway bridge when it rained hard. At five we moved to Margaret Avenue near Sutton Park.

"My dad was an engine driver based at Sutton Oak engine sheds, which is now Morrisons, and I did get to drive a steam engine. I believe it was a type standard 7 which did the Liverpool to Manchester run.

"I also got to ride in the cab from Junction Station to Shaw Street. So your articles on steam engines in the November edition of the newsletter was on interest to me."