STAND by, all you former employees of Bolton Gate Company. A reunion has been arranged for March 21, and you are all invited.

Mr Hindle Gregory, of 5 Arran Close, Ladybridge, Bolton, tells me that along with Derek Smith and Ken Hart, he is organising the get-together, and has sent me this picture taken in 1957/58 outside the works in Waterloo Street, showing some of the workforce ready for the annual summer outing to the Lancashire coast.

"If any of the people recognise themselves, they are welcome to contact me on Bolton 64792 for further details of the reunion. I would also welcome calls from anyone else who was an employee between 1926-1984."

Mr Gregory also wrote about the history of the firm, founded in 1926 by local man Eric Morley, in premises in Tipping Street, just off Folds Road. As the company grew in size, it was relocated to Waterloo Street in 1935. Further expansion saw a large new workshop built on Waterloo Street - where the rear of the B & Q superstore now stands - and the main offices moved into Knowles Mill on Turton Street. They have since been demolished to make way for the new Bolton Gate Retail Park.

He writes; "The original Bolton Gate Co. ceased to exist in 1984 when it was taken over by Tarmac Construction and re-named Bolton Brady Ltd. Then, in 1997, further changes occurred, resulting in the formation of a new Bolton Gate Co. on the original 1935 Waterloo Street site."

Hundreds of you out there must have worked at the firm over its long history. Now is the chance to meet up with former colleagues and have a good chat!