The following experience happened to Allan Huntingdon in 2001 when he was 70 years of age:-

Just a few weeks ago I was walking down Duckworth Street in Darwen and someone called out, 'Isn't it Allan?' I turned round and looked at the person who had spoken and saw a strange face before me.
I answered that it was indeed Allan but was afraid that I did not remember, nor could I identify the caller. The lady then reminded me of my younger days just prior to joining the army.

'Don't you remember the times we had going to the Provident Hall on Saturday nights, and the Friday night dances at the ROF club on Bridge Street? I'm Alice. You must remember me! We used to dance a lot together'.

I still did not recognise the lady but realised that, after 55 years, people's appearances do certainly change and the ravages of time do take a toll on one's looks.

Anyway, we had a long chat about the 'Good Old Days'. Actually, looking back, they certainly were good days. Darwen, at that time, boasted five cinemas and several dance halls or clubs. We didn't need to go out of town for our entertainment. In fact, I remember, I had a regular booking every Tuesday at the Savoy for one of the boxes at the back with double seats (and curtains for the romantics).

All these things and more flashed through my mind over the next few days. I tried to remember more of my friends from those days and wondered if any of them were still alive and kicking.

We had some wonderful times, but unfortunately we didn't really appreciate them as we would now. Still, it's lovely to have those memories, and now I have the computer, I can jot them down and browse through them at my leisure, of which, at my age, I have plenty of.

Fortunately, due to my army service I have been able to recover my typing skills, which helps tremendously. Even my spelling has improved since the computer won't allow spelling mistakes.

I travel from Freckleton, Nr. Lytham to Derwent Hall for tuition on computers. The reason I travel so far is that my sister Joyce goes with me, and it also keeps us in closer touch with each other, and my other sister also lives in Darwen. Plus many nephews and nieces and cousins. That is a good enough reason for me. I would thoroughly recommend any senior citizen to take advantage of the Learning Zone as it stimulates the mind.