THIS charming picture (below) recaptures a 'rites of passage' celebration fast fading from modern-day life. It's a 1952 snapshot of pupils from Gerards Bridge School at St Helens -- a little seat of learning long since demolished to be replaced by the Pilkington glassworks car park.

Former scholar Roy Green, who forwarded the picture and is featured, second from right in the second row, explains the joyful occasion. "It's our first communion at Lowe House Church before moving up to the 'big school', Lowe House RC."

Roy (55) from Cherry Tree Close, Haydock, adds: "I thought this might be a nostalgic reminder to some of my old classmates who may have lost their copy of the photo. Sadly, some are no longer with us; most I now have no knowledge of; while some I still associate with."

Fourth left at the front is Sheila Reid, who was to become the sister-in-law of Roy, who adds: "Terry Jackson, my best man and old boozing buddy, is first left in the second row."

Referring to the picture of innocence he then presented, Roy says: "Nice little boy? Who would suspect that several years later he would explode a banger firework inside the piano of Lowe House girls school?"

Roy lists all but three of of the 28-strong gang, posing in front of the Rector, Fr. Joseph Bickerstaffe (left) and Fr. Francis Kelly. Not a bad test of memory after a lapse of almost half a century.

Here goes: Front (left to right) Ann Smith, Sandra Gibbons, Maureen Cunliffe, Sheila Reid, Joyce Dooley, Margaret Honey,?, Joan Tunstall,?.

Second row: Terry Jackson, Barry Johnson, Marion Bridgewater, Ann Foster, June McCormack, Christine Martlew, Jean Harrison, Roy Green, Kevin Duffy.

Back: Andy Casey, Brian Burns, Derek Bridge, Tony Burrows, Terry Leyland, Roy Brown, ?, Paul Lawrenson, Dennis McGuire, Clive Jones.

BET those names will help stir a million memories!