CLEARING out the attic the other day, I came across a refreshment and bar list, the date on the card was 1961.

It was a drinks price list issued at the Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens. Even with wages much lower, draught Duttons Bitter, or William Youngers at 11 old pence, or Double Diamond or Worthington at seven old pence, seems far removed from the present day prices.

Incidentally, starring at the Opera House was Shirley Bassey, still top of the bill 37 years later, Frankie Vaughan at the Palace and Lonnie Donnegan at the Winter Gardens.

The shows at that time were supported by several top liners of the day, an orchestra in the pit and the usual line of chorus girls to open the performance.

I went along this season to see a show at Blackpool - just four acts, no back up artists, canned music from whence I know not. All in all, rather disappointing.

Times have changed, most of the time for the better, but apparently not always.

MR K SOWERBUTTS, Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

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