'I GOT a lot of pleasure from your picture of the Farnworth Civil Gala at Darley Park in 1950,' writes Mr George K. Brown, of Barncroft Road, Farnworth.

'What an event it used to be - children's races, morris dancing competitions, fairground equipment, brass bands, stalls run by local charities, fireworks displays, etc. How times change! Now there is not even one civic event in Farnworth, even in Millennium year.

'As for Darley Park, in 1950 there were 16 tennis courts, two bowling greens a putting green, two pavilions, flower beds - all gone, now a wilderness. Certainly the most neglected park in the Bolton borough, if not in the country.

'No one will deny that in the Bolton borough we have a North-South divide.'