"I WAS most interested to see the photographs on June 26 of the Catholic processions," writes Mr Derek Birch, of Greenmount Court, Greenmount Lane, Bolton - click HERE in our Looking Back Photogallery.

He says that he has had one of the pictures in his family album for many years, because one of the people on it was his brother Denys, who is now 81 years old.

"The taller alter 'boys' were Jim Nicholson, Hugo Ainscow and John Murphy, all of St Mary's Church," he goes on. "The top-hatted dignitaries were Mr Robert McManus (funeral director of Bath Street), next to his father-in-law Mr Farrell, then an unknown priest, then that great man Fr. James Lawless, Parish Priest of St Mary's; the last priest in top hat was Dr Deane Slevin, and a gentleman in a bowler hat Cllr Kilcummins."

Derek tells me that he is also on the picture, just rounding the corner of Moyles ladies' outfitters on the corner of Great Moor Street as an escort to the May Queen.

"These Trinity Sunday processions were a great occasion, not only for those taking part, but for the many who lined the route through town. The individual parish churches walked in procession from their own district to assemble on the Town Hall Square for the singing of the famous Catholic anthem 'Faith of our Fathers', sung lustily by all gathered there, none more so than those who had managed to have one or two in the Grapes Hotel on the Square beforehand. Well, it was thirsty work carrying banners and blowing instruments."

And to think, Derek, that I always thought that some of the people tottered because of the wind blowing the banners, making it difficult to keep control!

To view both photos, click HERE and HERE. The photos will open in a separate browser window.