IT WAS my good fortune to meet Bill Bryant and the other stalwarts of Swindon’s wartime youth service in the 60s when the council added other centres to the original ones at Sanford, Westcott, Ferndale and Pinehurst.

Many Swindonians and incomers like my family must have lots of memories of those days and the dedication of people like Doreen Willcocks MBE, to work with young people. Well done Doreen and Pinehurst.

Perhaps the local historians could explore the early years of the youth centres which of course were linked to thriving evening classes through which many gained qualifications not available in school.

John Davies, Byron Avenue, Royal Wootton Bassett