REGARDING Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Darwen in 1931

I'm producing a documentary for BBC Radio 4, to be broadcast next year, about Gandhi's visit to Darwen in 1931. He stayed in the town, meeting many of the locals, and visiting the cotton mills, which were of course suffering the effects of the Great Depression at the time. He also visited Blackburn, and, I believe, Preston, meeting local councillors and other dignitaries.

I'm looking for local people who remember his visit, who perhaps worked in the mills and who met Gandhi, people who have strong recollections of what the cotton industry was like in the late-20s and early 30s.

Initially, I would just like to talk to people at home or on the phone, and, at a later stage, if they were happy to do so, record a short interview about their memories.

I wonder if people would please get in touch with me if they have stories to tell about Gandhi's visit, or simply about working in the mills? Any help you could give me would be much appreciated.

I can be contacted on: 0161 244 4270, or by email at: libby.cross@bbc.co.uk.

My postal address is: Room 2119, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, M60 1SJ. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like further information.

Libby Cross

Producer

BBC Radio Features