IHAVE read with interest your recent articles about Hall-i'th'-Wood Museum.

I too was brought up in Hall-i'th'-Wood and have very fond memories.

We spent most of the summer around or in the museum; boys used to play cricket in the bottom of the field away from the houses, girls made daisy chains sitting on the grass, the more boisterous skidded down "cardboard hill".

The fish pond had brightly-coloured fish and plants, the statue in the centre was fondly known as "Philomena" by Mrs Winstanly, the caretaker's wife. There was a portable building on stilts that was used as a cafe and run by a lady called Doris. The toilets were always open.

Mr and Mrs Winstanly lived in the bungalow nearby and Mr Winstanly looked after the museum. You could go in the museum every day. There was no entrance fee and he would tell you a different story every day about a different piece of furniture or painting,etc., that was on display.

I even had the privilege of camping out in the garden of the bungalow and visiting parts of the house that weren't open to the public. Mr Winstanly took pride in his weather station, the results of which were used on occasions by local TV.

Then everything changed, "NO BALL GAMES" signs were put up, the fish pond was filled in, the cafe was knocked down, locks went on the toilets, and an entrance fee was introduced.

I wonder how many readers realise that a police station was built not 100 yards away and the view from an upstairs window in the station is probably that of the museum.

B Ward

The Crescent

Bromley Cross

Bolton