WHEN I printed a story about the Bolton Gliding Club and mentioned Herr Magersuppe's visit here in 1931 to give a demonstration of gliding, I did not expect to hear from someone who was actually there!

But Mr Albert Winstanley, of Bradshaw Brow, Bradshaw, was. He writes: "I remember the occasion well, having been taken to Rivington with a friend and his father and mother in their car.

"There was a large crowd assembled at the top of the moorland behind the tower, and the glider was 'at the ready' for take-off.

"There was a long rope, the centre of which was attached to the nose of the glider by a hook. A call was made for volunteers to pull each side of the rope (which was now in the shape of a long V).

"With gusto, my friend and I took our position on the rope to add our young pulling strength.

"At a command, we pulled and ran 'pell-mell' down the slope, and it was a thrill to see the glider airborne as the rope dropped to the ground.

"How exciting it was to have had the thrill of taking part in the demonstration!

"The car belonging to my friend's father was a 'bull-nosed' Morris Cowley, a veritable aristocrat of the day. I recall the large gleaming brass bonnet and engine cover, and often helped in the polishing.

"At this time, too, I was working (wages 10s - 50p - per week) and had acquired my first bike, a heavy 'sit up and beg' roadster, complete with backstep and oil lamp . . . oh, happy days. I still have an exact copy of the oil lamp (1s 10p) when new.

"Little did I know that in 1945, a few days after the cessation of hostilities, and in army convoy, we came up from Marseilles, through France (cattle truck and road transport), and passed through Holland before crossing the Rhine into Germany.

"I recall passing through Nijmagen to see still entangled in trees relics of Army gliders, a grim reminder of one of our raids. It was a far cry from the memories of seeing the 'peacetime' early demonstration at Rivington in 1931.

"Another boyhood memory (circa 1920-22) was going to Blackpool with my parents in an open-top charabanc, sitting on wooden forms in rows. The driver was seated in the centre, with a man on each side of him, the left man to give the left turning signals, and the right man to give the right turning signals - the driver having to keep both hands on the steering wheel.

"I think the early charabanc had solid tyres."