OUR feature on Bolton’s famous Market Hall proved popular with readers.

Ivy Evans got in touch to tell us her memories of working there.

“I used to work for Brooks Hosiery, selling socks, stockings and a mixture of fancy underwear.

“My brother, Stanley, worked in Oxendales at a locksmith who sold keys — with a laugh to boot.

“My mum used to buy us broken biscuits from the market when we were young.

“I loved my time there and really enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the market floor.

“We used to lunch in the cafe in the centre of the market and there was a real sense of community among all the stall owners,” she says.

Jean Morris got in touch to let us know that her uncle owned Jim’s Scotch Beef stall in the Market Hall.

No doubt many readers would have visited his stall to buy the meat for their Sunday dinner.

Dorothy Thornley used Bolton Market Hall as the subject for a story when she belonged to a writing class back in 2001.

Her fictitous tale was based on a photograph of the market in the early 1900s where there is, clearly, a stall with the name J Mason on it she explains.

In her tale Dorothy talks of the small animals for sale on the balcony including budgies, canaries, parrots, gerbils, mice and rabbits.

Jenny Smith is 96-years-old and has a vague memory she is hoping other Looking Back readers can help her with.

As a child Jenny recalls going to the Market Hall with her mother — who had relatives from Farnworth with a flower stall there — and her mother would help make straw wreaths at Christmas. Jenny recalls: “Her hands would be red raw from the straw.”

But the thing that is puzzling her is the memory of a fountain and water well in the middle of the Market Hall.

“I seem to remember being about 11-years-old and going to the well for water for the flowers,” says Jenny.

She also remembers there being pet animals — including rabbits and birds — sold from the balcony of the building.

“I’m guessing they used the fountain and well to get water for the animals. I would love to know if anyone else remembers this,” she adds.

Does anyone recall the fountain? If so get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gmcbain@theboltonnews.co.uk