IT'S heartening to learn how many happy memories come spilling back when "where are they now?" group pictures feature on this old page.

Latest response comes from Emily Simmons of Hartley Grove, Grange Park, who instantly recognised a couple of the unnamed players in the 1953 championship-winning St Austin's CYMS bowling team published on January 13.

Emily writes: "Second from right, at the back, is Austin Simmons of Nutgrove who went on to become mine host at the Volunteer Inn."

Since demolished, this old pub stood at the corner of Mill Street and Duke Street, St Helens, shakily supported by scaffolding during its dying years.

Austin's dad, Jack Simmons of Broadway, Grange Park, was also featured in the flashback photo, seated second right at the front. And Emily further explains that Jack's other two sons, Fred and her hubby Jim, were also members of St Austin's in their younger days.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.