I LIVE in Australia where my wife and I, four kids and my mother-in-law migrated to 48 years ago. 


My friend sent me as copy of the Star because it included tributes to Tom van Vollenhoven.

I had the pleasure of seeing Tom play against Hunslet at Odsal and again at Wembley against Wigan. What a player.

Another story was about Burchall’s pork pies.

I remember when I was five years old (I’m now 84) queuing up for what seemed a lifetime just for a couple of pies but it sure was worth it.

I was a member of Lowe House choir until my voice broke at 15. The choir put on the Black and White Christmas Show, which was popular in St Helens.

A member of the show was another pie maker, ‘Lionel Swift’ from Duke Street, the best meat and potatoes in Lancashire.


In the years after the war in the 50s and 60s St Helens was the best town in Lancashire; Friday and Saturday nights were fantastic. People everywhere, dances at the Co-op, Sefton Arms overflowing with people, trolleybuses going all over the place.


Les Wood, Australia