LIKE so many people across the country, not just in Bolton, I was overjoyed to hear that the great Moran picture had been acquired for the town and nation.

As soon as possible after it went on show, I came up to see it and felt it an inspiring and genuinely unique contribution to our heritage. I felt like writing a little poetic tribute to the work, and to commemorate the terrific, and hard work put in by the staff and all the fund raisers to keep this masterpiece here.

May I say how pleasurable it always is to visit Bolton, for me a jewel of Greater Manchester and the county of Lancashire. How I wish the West Midlands could be as architecturally and culturally stimulating!

Christopher Brookes

Kingston Drive

Stone, Staffs

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.