A BRADSHAW man has been in touch with Looking Back to share some great photographs of yesteryears in Bolton.

During lockdown John Preston took the time to go through all old family photographs and general ones of the area and transferred them into digital format.

Each week he has supplied some of the images to help stir some happy memories for our readers and see if they recognise anyone or anything featured.

He said: “One of this week’s photos was taken about 1953 with myself in a paddle boat out on the boating lake at Barrow Bridge.

“They had small rowing boats and these Paddle boats, we used to picnic in the park.

“It was a popular venue with the residents of Bolton.

“I became quite adept with paddle boats, whilst my sister Pam favoured the rowing boats.”

John has also shared his views about the aerial view on Page 18 of last week’s Looking Back.

He said: “It showed the model like view of the Bolton/ Blackburn Railway Line and a Gasometer from 1966.

“It fits in well with my view of the famous locomotive, the Sir Nigel Gresley passing this spot a few years later with the Gasometer in the background.”

It comes after John submitted some great memories of eateries and restaurants around Bolton from years gone by.

He said: “I enjoyed eating out at Smithills Coaching House, which was a very popular Bolton venue.

“Donald Clarke was one of the owners and I have photos of him with my aunt Margaret Barnes.

“The Clarke Brothers were involved In Percivals Restaurant, very popular eating place, it seemed always full.

“My mother worked in the admin section of Percivals which was situated within The Market Hall, Bolton in the days when it was filled with traditional family stalls.

“It was the place I favoured and I went to it a lot in those days.

“You used to get good fare and memories.”