DIVING for fresh-water mussels, in the bay close to Carr Mill's speedboat club, remains one of the abiding boyhood memories of Terry Jennians, now living in America.

Terry was prompted to share his recollections after reading the superb pen-picture supplied by local reader Harry Bradbury, retracing childhood footsteps along the old Happy Valley trail.

Harry's piece reminded Terry of happy summer afternoons spent in that watery location which was once a weekend magnet for hundreds of local families. At that time there was an admission fee to be handed over by those wishing to enjoy the lakeside attractions - including all the fun of the fair.

"But those of us who couldn't afford to pay always found a way in through a hole in the fencing or by ducking under the low bridge where the dam overflow cascaded down the steps of Happy Valley."

Frederick's, the ice-cream people, had a well-patronised hut outside the entrance wall, Terry recalls. But the mouth-watering highlight of the day came at the start of the return journey home. "We'd make a mad dash across the East Lancashire Road to buy a buttered crust - price one old penny - at Burkhill's Caf, chewing on it during our long walk home to Windlehurst."

Another feedback piece from abroad comes from former St Helens couple Jim and Margaret Boken. "Harry Bradbury described all that bygone happiness so well and we'd like to add a little extra."

Still keen in the couple's mind is the aroma of mouth-watering food as the Sunday afternoon picnickers settled down on their blankets (sometimes with wind-up gramophones or portable radios for entertainment) down the Happy Valley, close to the big brick steps carrying the dam overspill. "At times there seemed to be thousands of people coming and going."

Bare-footed teenage lads would do their showing-off, demonstrating to their admiring girlfriends how they could expertly ascend the steep steps, dangerously slippery with 'Ginny Green-teeth' algae formed from the constant trickle of water. This risky business might prove to be the prelude to a romantic stroll through the nearby bluebell woods.

All this would pass some of the time before the highlight of the day - a visit to the local dance hot spot, the Black Cat.

IN thanking Harry for leading them along memory lane, the Bokens wish all the best for 2005 to friends and family in St Helens.