IT was wonderful to hear from Andrew Billington contacting us all the way from Idaho in the USA.

What is especially interesting is that Andrew is the son of the famous Bolton teacher and historian Derek Billington.

Andrew was educated at the school his father taught at — Brownlow Fold — a school which is fondly remembered, we know, by many of our readers.

After school Andrew took up an apprenticeship with Hawker Siddeley Dynamics at Lostock, formerly De Havilland and later to become British Aerospace.

He went on to become a plant maintenance electrician and credits Brownlow Fold School for standing him in good stead for his adult life in the technical field.

In 1997 he moved to Saudi Arabia. In November 1999 he met his wife to be Presie in Boise, Idaho and they were married in August 2001 and moved to Saudi Arabia where son Lawrence was born. Kailey was born in Bahrain.

Now although retired from the hustle and bustle of a high flying career as a technical manager for a Saudi hygiene company Andrew is still working in a technical field but now as a handyman.

“I basically spent my whole life in the technical field and this career is founded on my schooling at Brownlow Fold High School for Boys,” he says.

Andrew has praised the school for it teachers and the school “for its brilliant and unique character” and also his parents Derek and Muriel for the “privilege” of being part of the school.

“I don’t believe I could have advanced in the technical world as much anywhere else as I did at Brownlow Fold High School for Boys,” he adds.

Andrew’s education in Bolton has taken him all over the world and he has enjoyed many different experiences because of this he says.

For more on life at this much loved school turn to page 18.