CAN anyone date this picture of Wyresdale football club ? asks reader Wally Walsh.

He was given the photograph three or four years ago, but no-one at the club, at Inverbeg Drive, off Bury Road, has been able to put a year to it.

Mr Walsh, a former chairman of the club, tells me that Wyresdale has been going since the late 1800s and is one of the oldest clubs in the area.

One clue which might help date the picture is that the signatures of the players were with it.

They were, from left back, H. Jones, R. Parkinson, H. Windle, W. Sharples, E. Harwood, Bert Sharples. Front row: C. Silverwood, E. Eccles, Fred Jones, D.J. Ireland, T. Briggs.

If anyone can help, contact Mr Walsh at 32 Ashcombe Drive, Bolton, BL2 6TD.

SEPARATE STORY

More about town's bagpipe band

WHEN on Bank Holiday Monday I printed a photograph which was referred to as "Bolton's own bagpipe band in 1937", that was the only detail I had.

However, Mr Reg Parry, of Bromwich Street, Bolton, has now written to say that it was actually the Victoria Hall No. 2 Bolton Boys' Brigade Pipe Band, an integral part of the youth work which influenced hundreds of young people for good through the Bolton Methodist Mission.

"Your photograph showed the band outside the then fairly new Walker School entrance in Ridgway Gates.

"The tall Superintendant Minister at the rear was the Rev Thomas Hannah, an outstanding preacher who won many souls for Christ during his ministry at the Mission 1927-39.

"To his left was George Price, who with his wife Florrie dedicated practically the whole of their leisure time to the welfare of young men in the Boys' Brigade. Another stalwart of that work was Stanley Mulvaney, second right from the Rev. Hannah.

"Such people, and there are many of them still, who give so much (without seeking any reward) for others, are indeed the salt of the earth.

"We are reminded of them through your column and cherish their memory."

Mr Parry also praises highly this column (I am too embarrassed, of course, to use his actual words!), but I tell you because he adds: "It is important that we are aware of our rich heritage and appreciate the contribution of those wonderful men and women who, in times past, dedicated their lives to the service of others. Looking Back helps us to do that."

In turn, Mr Parry, I am grateful for your words.

Another call came from reader Eddie Brown, who said that the leader of the Victoria Hall band was Capt. Price.

DO YOU KNOW WHEN THIS TEAM PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN?