THE story about Victoria Hall revived good memories (Bolton News, Thursday, October 9).

During my sixth form days at Smithills Grammar, we took advantage of the ticket allocations to enjoy regular visits by the Halle and Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras. The county borough of Bolton supported both orchestras.

A rummage through my memoirs case unearthed six programmes for concerts conducted by the likes of Charles Groves, Brydon Thomson, Laurence Leonard. Maurice Handford, George Hurst and Arthur Fiedler. The latter was conductor of the famous Boston Pops Orchestra and his encore was his Beatles Medley which had crept into the charts.

As a youngster, I was fortunate to have access to a variety of music — folk, rock, pop, jazz and classical. My musical enjoyment is as strong as ever. The Victoria Hall helped to fix that interest forever.

How sad that Bolton can find £6.5m to revamp the Albert Halls while putting the Victoria Hall in danger of going the way of the Theatre Church. Bolton needs and must have both.

I hope a £10 ticket for the gala Concert goes a long way to preserving a wonderful place, but much more is needed, Live music is a real joy and we need good places to hear it.

David Sharples Tarbert Drive Breightmet