THERE might be a slightly chauvinistic ring to the title of the organisation to which these smartly-dressed committeemen (featured right) once belonged. But the Thatto Heath Old Men's Benevolent Fund (how's that for a masculine mouthful) worked hard to bring a little post-war cheer into the lives of their local old-timers.

This super shot, taken in Thatto Heath Park at a time when it could boast two splendid, well-manicured crown bowling greens, is kindly provided by Tom Winstanley, a 72-year-old retired upholsterer (he served half-a-century with the St Helens firm of Roberts & Son). Tom was presented with the picture some years ago by the late Alf Worthington who had built up an impressive photographic archive featuring old-time Thatto Heath.

Though it was taken in 1948, there will still be many old Donkey Commoners who remember some or all in the impressive group. Tom himself was taught at Sacred Heart school by the committee's secretary, Joe Gaskell, shown standing extreme left, son of Joe senior, a giant of a man who was landlord of the Springfield Hotel - to this day referred to by our more senior elbow-benders as Old Joe's. Also featured are park keeper Nat Harrison, bowls fanatic G. (Shoddy) Mason, local bookie Alf Murphy and chairman H. Foxley, believed to have been a man of influence within the mining industry.

Though he was a recent school-leaver when the picture was taken, Tom Winstanley, who lives facing the park, remembers that the Thatto Heath of 1948 was then a world apart from today. There were regular bowlers by the hundred, enthusiastic hen and pig keepers and countless pigeon fanciers. "I remember seeing the local railway station piled high with pigeon baskets," says Tom, who recalls that the benevolent committee raised cash funds at bowling events and in the local pubs. It drew football-crowd attendances whenever there was a special handicap event . . . "and they used to carry an open blanket around to collect cash from spectators."

Purpose was to hand out cash gifts around Christmas. "The old codgers would even queue up in the snow to get their share," recalls Tom.

NOW I'm left wondering whether there was ever an old ladies' benevolent fund running alongside that charity for veteran blokes? Somehow, I rather doubt it...