REGARDING your article asking readers for their memories of the local outdoor licence premises located at the top of Morley Street.


As a youngster living close by in Chapel Street I used to visit this off licence from time to time for my father’s jug of beer. Armed with my white enamel jug and tea towel to avoid any spillage I would wait until constable Joe Dillon our well respected local policeman was nowhere to be seen.


Then I would sneak up Chapel St and along the back entry which used to run parallel with Windle St to the off licence. When going down this back entry I frequently came into contact with numerous devious characters leaning up against the wall outside the shop waiting to place their bets with the local bookmaker.


On other occasions, if I was lucky, I would find Jonty Pilkington, a local Saints rugby player at the time, in there telling the locals of his experiences on the rugby field.

I also have fond memories of the Co-Op ballroom which was located above Helena House in Baldwin St.

It was while dancing there one Saturday evening to Bert Web and his band that I first met my wife some 68 years ago.


H Lea, Windle