Hi, my name is Bev Yates (nee Tinsley). I am looking for any old friends who went to Rhyddings School between 1974 and 79. I am especially trying to find Tracey Rayner who hung around with myself Gillian Conroy and Pam Cunliffe. Anyone who knew us would love to hear from you. E-mail: bev@herallotment.fslife.co.uk

Hi, my name is Valerie Rose (nee Worrall), I lived in Hapton until 1957 when my family immigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I worked in downtown Toronto for the Royal Bank of Canada for over 40 years. I am also one of the very lucky people who found my soul-mate early (I met him shortly after my arrival in Canada, I was 15). Garth and I have been married for 43 years in November. We have three children, Bob (now 40), and twins Wanda and Wayne (34 in September). We also have 3 grandchildren, Justin 12, Logan 4 and Liam 2. I retired in July 2002, when I took a well earned trip home. First I went to Edinburgh and visited my cousin Hazel Neild (nee Dinsdale), and her husband John who hails from Wigan, and Hazel's parents Edward and Mildred Dinsdale nee Mildred Eaton. Then Hapton, where I met up with my longest standing friend Maureen & Tony Rogers (nee Jenkins) and their family. Their daughter Michele Johnathon, was living in Haslingden. Then on to Wootton Wawen (near Warwick) to visit my cousin's Madeleine & Malcolm Parkes. Madeleine (nee Rudge) and her brother Roger lived in Hapton too during the war. Then to London to another cousin Lynda & Felice Bragoli. On a day trip to Kent, Lynda & I met up with Cyril Whittaker and his daughter, Sheila & Peter Bird, as well as Sheila's daughter Joanna, a local police woman. While Cyril hails from Hapton and was my Dad's (the late Bob Worrall) boyhood friend, he lived in Accrington and was a barber their for many years, Sheila was born there. Finally my cousin Lynda & I went to Paris for a few days before returning home. I met up with many friends and relatives on my trip, but a few friends I lost touch with years ago, I have never been able to contact since. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Sheila Firth, Judith Fagan and John and Rose Haworth, I would love to hear from them once again. Thank you from Valerie Rose, 11 Grand Rapids Sq., Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6S 2H9. UPDATE: I have recently changed my email address: vrose0712@rogers.com. Any of my school friends from the village who would like to contact me please do so. If you do not have email please contact Maureen R. (nee Jenkins). My family and I will be returning to England in August to bring home for internment the ashes of both my Dad (Robert George Worrall) and brother (Alvin Robert Worrall). Internment St John Church, August 8th, 2005. We will be staying in Blackpool from August 6th to the 9th, then moving south to visit family along the way to London.

I'm Malcolm Murphy, born in 1948 and lived in Trinity St. Oswaldtwistle. I went to Holy Family school 1960/64 worked at JT Rothwell's in Church first as an apprentice Plater then a Draughtsman and emigrated to South Africa in 1970 lived there for 25 years and for the last 10 years have been working in Dubai. I would like to make contact with any of my old school friends, work mates or any friends that remembers me. Email: malcolmm@murrob.co.ae

First off, I think this is a great idea you have going for the people that used to live back home in Accrington. I still call it home even though I have been away for 24 years. I live in Toronto, Canada now. I came here in 1980 as a nanny, and I'm still here. I'd love to hear from other people who made the same move. Do you seem to miss home more the longer you're away? I do! I miss the people (nothing like the English sense of humour!). Whe I read the Exiles page I saw Marion Pettifer's name there - we used to work at Rists Wires in the 70s. I have met up with her and her husband here in Canada. I attended Hollins School and worked at Rists for seven years. I ended up marrying an Irishman and having two children who are now 18 and 16 years old. My family still live there in jolly old Accy - I'm the only one who flew the nest! I love talking to people from home, so anyone from the North, e-mail me at frefam@hotmail.com. Thanks for your time, Carole Frew.

My name is Michael McKigney and I live in East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. I have been here for almost 3 years since retiring. Originally I was from London, got bombed out of our home and finished up in Lancashire in a beautiful village called Hurst Green. My mother moved us to what was known as Toy town in Huncoat and I became a Lancashire lad. During my apprenticeship at Lang Bridges I had the urge to go to sea as a marine engineer. This came about and I was fortunate enough to travel up the Amazon for over 2,500 miles for a few years. To cut this story short, I still have a great interest in Accrington and the surrounding areas.I have contact with some old friends and would like to contact more. One question though - does anybody still make clogs in the area? I used to wear them as a kid and the thought occurred to me the other day when having a moment of nostalgia. I got a book from the UK called Within Grove and I featured in it but my name was mispelled and it's about Huncoat. Anybody wishing to contact me will find me on mck2383@datafast.net.au. Many thanks, Mike.

Hi there, I am writing in on behalf of my wife who is trying to locate her father who she lost contact with about 3-4 years ago after her mother died. His name is Steven Clayton. His daughter Corby would like to get back in touch as we have some great news to share. If anyone has seen or heard of Steven could they please get in contact, it would make a great deal to my wife. His last address we think was in Great Harwood. Our e-mail address is tamerton@aol.com. Thanks.

Hi there, my name is Linda Leake. I lived in Oswaldtwistle from 1972 til 1988. I was schooled at St Mary's Primary and then Holy Family bfeore I returned to Belfast. I still have one son and two grandchildren living in Accrington, although they are very young. I last worked at Peel Court Home for the Elderly on Union Road, Oswaldtwistle until I returned to Belfast. I would love to be in contact with anyone who remembers me from school. I do visit Accrington as often as I can to see relatives, it would be nice to catch up. Names I remember from school are Maria Weir, Madalana, Myra, and Julie White. I'm sure there are more but the memory is fading with age (ha, ha!). E-mail: lindarolfe121@msn.com

I'm an ex-Accy lad, been out in New Zealand for 6 years. My name is Phil Greenhalgh (Greeny). I still have friends and family in Accy, and used to go to Holy Family School, now Mount Carmel. I'm just trying to see what people who may been at school about the same time are up to and what they are doing now. E-mail: Tracephil@xtra.co.nz.

Hello, I lived in Accrington until 1969 when I moved with my husband and children to USA. I have lost touch with my sister's children since she died. Her son Brian Thompson lived in Clayton-le Moors on Atlas St. I have written to that address with no reply. Can you help? Their names are Brian, Andrew, Joanne and Veronica. I am coming for a visit in September and it would be wonderful if I could see them again. From Matilda Parr, e-mail: MATILDAP@peoplepc.com.

My name is Allan Jones. I lived in Brocklehurst Avenue, Fern Gore, in the 1960s with my parents Lew & Gladys. I am married to Helen (Taylor) who used to live in Eddleston Street until we married in 1962. We moved to Kingston Ontario Canada in 1963, and are good friends with Mick & Marion Pettifer who emigrated here in 1967. I am interested in knowing if anyone knows Mr. Jim Howarth. Jim would be about 78 years old, (I think) and owned an electrical contracting business in Little Blackburn Road with his father Fred. I apprenticed there from 1957 to '63. If anyone knows if Jim is still in Accrington, or has any information about him, I would be grateful to receive an email at stephenjones@sympatico.ca.

HI, MY name is Jean Hewitt. I attended Hyndburn Park School until 1955. I immigrated to Australia in 1966 and would like to get in touch with anyone who remembers me from my past, especially Eileen Bannon who immigrated to South Africa around 1967. Please email me at crelynn@aol.com.

IT'S about thirty years since I last wrote to your paper. My wife and I are ex-Accringtonians and had just visited the town on vacation. In my letter I tried to draw attention to the mess that Priestley Clough had become. The lower path had become inaccessible; the stream was cluttered with old prams etc. Even the old quarry was getting it's share of rubbish. From what I read on the internet, improvements have been made. We, for nostalgia's sake, sure hope that is true. You may wonder why we retain our interest after more than fifty years absence.........it's a romantic story. You see back in the thirties I was a young lad from Burnley who met and fell in love with an Accrington girl, Lily Dawson of Ranger Street. I was only fifteen at the time (a bit young to start courting) and she was only fourteen. I had to wait b�~till I thought I was old enough and then asked her if she would care to go out with me. Well, she didn't hesitate. She said she would like to. So the next Thursday evening I came over from Burnley, went to her home and was invited to go for a walk. It was all new to me. We went round by Highamb�TMs Woodnook mill and along the bottom path of Priestley Clough till we came to the old bridge over the waterfall... It would have been a gradely spot for a lad to steal a kiss or two but it took another month before I got up enough courage for that. We walked up the hill towards the farm house and as we passed the two cottages that were there I asked her how she would like to live there. She said it would be nice and we forgot all about them. But four years later, when we were ready to wed, the only houses available to rent were those two cottages. We rented them both from farmer Nelson at Fern Gore ... No. 1 for us, and No. 2 for my widowed mother. The cottages were very old and run down but we worked on them and made them real cozy, even if they did have neither water, gas nor electricity. AH THE THINGS YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG... We left there in 1951 and, of course, they are long gone now. But we still remember heather and bluebells farther up the valley and wild roses and hawthorn near the old quarry... ah well [Big sigh]. From Edwin R and Lily Astin, 1477 Grand Ave, #5 Grover Beach, California 93433, U.S.A. E-mail: edlily@charter.net

Hi, My name is Gloria Schofield (formerly Scullion) and I grew up in Clayton-le-Moors. I attended All Saints' Primary School and later St Christopher's High between 1963-68. I have been living in Perth, W. Australia for the past 16 years. I have two grown-up children and two grandchildren. I would like to hear from any old school friends who may remember me. E-mail: GSchofield@skm.com.au

Although we are not living abroad, some may consider Kent a foreign land, so I have taken the liberty of asking anyone out there if they remember my dad, Cyril Whittaker, who ran a barbers' shop in Burnley Road, Accrington between the years 1938-43, then again in 1948-1963 having served in the Welsh Guards in the interim period. Dad, now in his 81st year, was born in Hapton and now lives on the south east coast of Kent. It would be a nice surprise for him to hear from anyone who remembers him. Did he cut your hair, are you related, do you remember me, his daughter Sheila (we lived at 46 Avenue Parade)? Best wishes to Accy and all who live there, Sheila. E-mail: siddie1uk@yahoo.co.uk

Hello, my name is Bryan Melling. I was born and raised in Accrington. I was born in 1956, went to Woodnook school and then onto Hollins Lane. After leaving school and working in Accrington I married Denise Kane and moved shortly there after to Buffalo, NY, USA. We have lived here for 26 years, though we have been back and forth a few times over the years. My parents still live in Accrington on Corporation st. We just visited them at Christmas time, which is the only time we miss. I would like to say hello to my mother Rena Bullough,and to a good friend of mine David Calverley who I used to play football with at school and after. I would also like to say hello to Clive Wallwork, another close friend of mine, who is a local barber in Accrington. E-mail: mellingb2@cs.com

Hi, my nane is Gill Ruddy formerly known as Gillian Conroy. I am trying to trace to two friends of mine that i haven't seen for 25 years. Their names are Beverley Tinsley and Pamela Cunliffe. We all attended Rhyddings High School from 1974 to 1978. I would love to get in touch with them both and chat about old times, so if anyone knows of their whereabouts would you please contact me, as it would mean such a lot. E-mail: LANCASIRELASS@aol.com

Hi my name is Diane Climo (nee Kirkbright). I moved to Perth, Australia, in 1978 (or was that 79?). Anyway i went to St Annes Primary then to Hollins High School. We lived on Avenue Parade. Now I just have to say my memory is shocking and I'm afraid I can only remember a few people from Accy. I was 12 when we moved here. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me or my family and catch up. It would be great to have a memory refresher from anyone who would like to write. Cheers from sunny Aussie. Write to me at: hunnibud@bigpond.net.au

I am Stanley Johnson who left Accrington in 1965 to work for Price Waterhouse in the Bahamas. I was at Woodnook School, Peel Park, ASTS and then Acc. Grammar from 1949-55. Took a degree in French/Russian at Oriel College Oxford (57-60) and after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1963 I specialised in tax haven work in the Bahamas, Cayman Isles and Vanuatu from 1965 on. Was Managing Director of International Plant Breeders from 1972-1976. Now retired, I visit Accrington occasionally in the course of my travels which now
occupy 10 months a year furthering my cricket and linguistic interests. My other hobbies are distance running, dancing and classical music. I would like to hear from anyone who knows me or doesn't know me. My contact address until further notice is Perouse Lodge/Room 12, 6 Perouse Rd, Randwick NSW Australia.. Emails are preferred. From Stan Johnson, E-mail: stanlsf@yahoo.com

Hi, I am writing from a very cold (-30c) Kingston, Ontario, Canada. We came here in 1976 and have visited "home" a few times over the years, the last time two years ago. I lived and went to school in Clayton-Le-Moors, and my husband Mick went to Spring Hill, then Woodnook. He lived in Fountain Street. We are always pleased to hear from any "old" friends. From Marion Pettifer, 1798 Hogan Road, Perth Road Village, Ontario. Canada K0H 2L0. E-mail: marionp@kos.net,

Hallo from Mik Dickinson (Hardaker) - Accringtonian from 1972 to 1982. Been living in Bavaria, Germany since then. Married a Clayton lass, Amanda Broadley and got two luvverly girls. Try to get back to the owd town now and again, every two years. Schools were St Pauls, Union Road and Rhyddings, also did a two-year spell at Blackburn College. Good idea this website. Catch up on the local news every week. E-mail: BigMikDick@aol.com

Hello from Graham Parkinson (Sparrow). I now live in Perth, W. Australia. Formerly Ryddings and Peel Park, I left Accy in 1984. I would be pleased to hear from anyone back home. E-mail: accy@bigpond.com.au.

I'm trying to trace a very dear friend from the 60s. Her name was Oliver Fenton - she is Irish from County Cork and married Peter who was in the Scots Guards and came from Accrington. If anyone has news of Oliver or Peter please could you let me know by e-mailing doreen2310@aol.com. Thanking you, D Day.

I lived in Accrington from 1942 until about 1970, attending Benjamin Hargreaves school and Accy Tech in Oswaldtwistle. Then I was an apprentice at Lucas Burnley. After wandering for many years, I now live in Clowne, Derbyshire near Sheffield and Chesterfield. I often wonder how schoolfriends ended up and would be pleased to hear from any. Ron Dickinson. E-mail: ron@clownederbys.demon.co.uk

Hello from Bryan Pemberton and wife Phyllis (Dunston). Been in BC, Canada since 1974, went to the Accy Tech and Ryddings respectively. Played with Stanley and Harwood in the 60s and couldn't have been happier watching them on the tube last night take out Bournemouth! Drop us a line at pemberton_b@fc.sd36.bc.ca

We are Peter and Julie Nixon and have recently moved to Melbourne Australia. We have 3 sons, Daniel (19), Richard (15) and Lewis (13), and would like to keep in contact with old friends and neighbours. Both Julie and I were born in Accrington, but lived in West End, Oswaldtwistle for around 22 years. I went to school at Hollins and worked for Shopfitters Oswaldtwistle for 10 years, but recently worked for Ultraframe of Clitheroe. My wife schooled at St. Christopher's and worked as catering manager at West End Primary School. All our children attended West End Primary and Rhyddings. If anyone wants to keep in touch either friends or ex-pupils/colleagues then please e-mail me at peter_nixon9@msn.com or julie on julienix1960@msn.com