[JohnW]

Hi Matthew,

I haven't lived in Baxenden for 51 years now. I was born at 438 Manchester Road in 1943, lived at 469 Manchester Road until I was eight, then at 452 Manchester Road until I was ten when we moved to live in Southport. I went to St. John's school from 1946 until 1953 and was in the choir at the church from 1951 to 1953.

I was in Baxenden about three weeks ago on the 1st. July. My wife and I had lunch at the church snack bar (I had two Hollands meat pies and peas, really good) with a very old friend and her husband, Valerie and Jim Eland. Also got to spend some time with my oldest friend there who I hadn't seen for eight years, David Ratcliffe (known around the village as Ratty) I'm sure you'll have seen David knocking around, he's lived there all of his life.

It was really nice to visit the village as I hadn't been back to England for six years.

Cheers,

JohnW