FROM 1932 to 1946, I lived in Purton. Then, in March 1946, the family left Wiltshire to come to live on Tyneside.

I arranged a trip in September of this year during which I hoped to be reunited with people I had not seen for some 61 years.

It was a very pleasant experience meeting up with people I had known as a youngster and with whom I went to school.

The experience was made even more interesting when, in the middle of my fortnight's visit, someone thrust a copy of the Advert (as it was known when I delivered it around the village during the war) from the previous evening, in front of me.

The paper was dated September 19 and there on page 19 was a picture of pupils from St Mary's School, Purton taken in 1937.

Lo and behold, there in the front row was me, this little fellow with braces over his shoulders. What a surprise and what a coincidence that the picture should appear when I was actually in the area after all those years.

Thank you for helping to make my holiday such a wonderful affair and thank you to all those people who made me feel so welcome. A special thank you to Roy A'Court who gave me a copy of the original photograph when I visited him.

I encountered one cause for concern during my visit and I may as well get it off my chest. Swindon needs to get rid of the beggars in the town centre. I was appalled at the number of times I was approached and asked for money. Invariably, the persons concerned were under the age of 25. The authorities need to do something to rid the town of this blight, preferably by getting these people into worthwhile jobs. It has taken me a few weeks to get around to writing this letter so I hope it is not too late for publication.

If anyone remembers me, please get in touch at this address: 17 Brentwood Place, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 4NN.

I would be delighted to hear from you.

T RIGG