DO you remember when there were as many as 50 fishing pegs along the canal, with a pleasant walk along the tow path?

Above, there was a football pitch, and, just below, another football pitch plus a tennis court. We had a Sunday School where they had shows and dances, an institute for billiards and snooker. We also had our own illuminations in the school grounds. We had one of the biggest mills in the country which employed village people and many that lived further away. Next to the mill was a rounders pitch.

Remember the Working Men's Club with its bowling green? Also in Prestolee we had two working farms, two bakers shops plus three grocers.

Just over the river, but still in the parish of Prestolee, we had a chemist, bank, barbers, plumbers, shoe shop, watch maker, Co-op, not forgetting the doctors surgery and two chapels.

Now in the Parish of Prestolee we have three times as many houses with wheelie bins -- and not much else.

I read in your paper someone wants to call us 'STONECLOUGH'.

F Brown

Alexandra Road

Prestolee