I RECENTLY mentioned Joe Hill, conductor at the Grand Theatre.

I know that we have already in Looking Back covered the local theatres in great detail, so I don't want to encourage more letters on the same subject; however, I heard from Mrs Lily Walton, of Broadway, Farnworth, with some memories.

She remembers seeing Gracie Fields in Mr Tower of London, and also such acts a Hylda Baker, Donald Peers, and Julie Andrews when she was about 12.

"I remember with going to the Grand with neighbours, and our sons, during the second world war and sitting on the front row of the Gods, and after the show we always went for a pastie.

Mrs Walton also tells me that at the Victoria School, a violin teacher went one afternoon a week after school, and it cost 6d a lesson, and you could buy a violin at so much a week.

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