REGARDING readers memories of old-time coalmen, during the war we lived in a terraced house with a yard, coalshed and tippler lavatory (with pieces of newspaper hanging from a nail).

One blackout night, when I was about 12 years old, I was in the toilet singing Gracie Fields' song 'Sally' when out of the darkness a man's voice bellowed out the last verse.

I found out later that it was a neighbour's boyfriend on leave.

I couldn't face him for ages knowing he knew where I was sitting that night. But thinking of it now he must have been in the same 'position' as me and only a yard wall between us. Happy days!

B MILLER (Mrs), Burnley Road East, Whitewell Bottom, Rossendale.