YOU may remember that a reader recently asked about a popular dance band called the Ionians.

David Pye has been in touch from Meadville, Pennsylvania, to tell me he used to play with the Ionians at the Bolton Parish Church Hall every Saturday night.

He tells me: "I played with them for about two years from around 1955 to 1957, and if you did not have a ticket by Thursday you really struggled to get into the hall."

David played piano and remembers that the female vocalist was Barbara Wignall.

Neil Tonge was another Ionian.

David, who was born and bred in Ribblesdale Road, served his apprenticeship at De Havilland Propellors from 1955 to 1960.

He also belonged to 80 Sqdn Air Training Corps and became a commissioned officer. David now has his own metallurgical consulting business in the USA.