WERE you one of the tiny tots pictured on this photograph taken at the Horwich Parish Playgroup?

This image was snapped decades ago and now the popular group is celebrating its 40th birthday and former attendees are invited to a special celebration open morning.

The playgroup was started Dorothy Gatenby, the wife of the, then, vicar of Horwich Parish Church, Derek Gatenby.

It opened its doors to Horwich toddlers between nine and noon every week day and proved hugely popular with local parents.

Dorothy Bromley started work with the group 37 years ago as a leader but is now the owner of Horwich Playcare Limited as the group is known today.

She is celebrating the milestone birthday with a morning get-together on Saturday July 11, between 10am and noon at the Church Street building.

Anyone who has attended the playgroup is welcome to attend and have a look at old photograph albums, books and the minutes of registers.

The playgroup has developed from its humble beginnings into a nursery with before and after school care.

The playgroup very nearly had to close when a surveyor's report revealed £8,000 of work was needed on the turn-of-the-century building.

But the intrepid mums who ran the playgroup decided to get to work and raise the money and by May 1985 had collected £4,000 and had organised more events to achieve their goal.

Sadly, says Dorothy — who lives in Horwich — bureaucracy has meant there are few playgroups left but she still concentrates on play and learning through play she explains.

So did you attend this playgroup and do you have happy memories of being there?

If so why not go along to the get together for a chat and a reminisce?

Contact Dorothy on 01204 667606 or email dorothy.bromers@btinternet.com