BYGONES reader Mildred Riley, of Darwen, has opened her family photo album showing generations through the ages.

This first picture comes from 110 years ago and shows the Sunday school class from Holy Trinity Church in Darwen — now St Peter’s.

It was presented to Mrs Wrack — the teacher, or maybe vicar’s wife? — by the class, as a token of their respect and esteem.

She’s in the centre of the front row of the very upright and austere Victorian women scholars, all clothed in their black gowns trimmed with white lace.

Mildred’s great grandmother, Mary Holt, is sat to the right of her.

The image was taken in 1904 and we think probably in Bold Venture Park.

Picture two takes us forward one generation; taken on a crowded tram, around 1920, it shows Mildred’s grandmother Bertha Dewett, wearing a white scarf near the front.

Behind her in the flat cap is Mildred’s grandfather Robert, with their three daughters, all wearing white. There’s Alice, Mildred’s mother, on the left, who’s sitting next to the driver, posing for the camera, then Edna, the oldest and Elsie.

One young chap is holding up the number 928, but whether that is the tram number we are not sure. We think this photo was taken at the coast as ‘promenade’ can just be made out on the right.

Picture three shows Robert Dewett, again, this time at work at Belgrave Mill, Darwen, where is was the winding master. The eight mill workers are, no doubt, the winders under his charge.

Picture four is one of a young Mildred, nee Howarth, fifth from right on the front row, when she was in the chorus for a school pantomime in the late 1940s.

She attended St James’ church school in Darwen and in this particular year, the youngsters performed Aladdin.