I WAS thrilled and moved when I read the piece by Bill Simpson describing the Odeon in its heyday, and it took me back in time when he remembered the commissionaire in the smart uniform.

Well, Bill, that smart commissionaire was my dad. He had three silver stripes on his uniform and was known as "chief of staff".

As a boy of 15, I also was a member of staff, as the fifth projectionist (and dog's body).

My job was to man the spotlights for these wonderful shows - Henry Hall, Richard Tauber, Maid of the Mountains - just a few of the many.

At intermission when the curtain came down, I had to switch a captive spotlight on Reg Liversedge, playing the mighty Wurlitzer organ.

The mobile spot had to pick out the ice cream girls, one of which was my sweetheart, and still is after 65 years, as we married in 1945.

I can go on forever describing Bolton in that era, what a lovely town it used to be, and what a wonderful time to live in.

Thank you, Bill.

Fred Horner Breightmet Fold Lane Bolton