THAT my friend John Porter is still using that well-established optician in Andover to buy yet another pair of rose-tinted glasses is to be applauded. This allows him to remember his well-spent youth in complete contrast to mine.

An example is his being able to pay 6d to get into the Walled Meadow to watch football. At this time my pocket money, earned, was only 1 shilling, so paying was out of the question. Luckily a crab apple tree in an adjacent garden grew against the said wall.

My scout training, 2nd Andover Sea Scouts (the best), taught me commando crawling to the tree. For some reason on one occasion I remember a “rap” on the legs from a walking stick as I climbed.

The trick then was to wait until play was at the far end of the pitch, drop to the ground and instantly mingle!

A second example was John being able to pay at this age to get into the boxing at the fair. I did manage once to get into the tent to see the Fat Lady and her associate the Tattooed Lady. These are now available free in any supermarket.

It is probably best if I don’t mention the strippers.

It was many years before I was able to be disappointed.

Not all of my memories of Andover are as happy as John’s so let’s encourage him to continue.

The mention of Toc H reminds me of my English teacher at the Boys Secondary.

He often, very often, told me I was as bright as a Toc H lamp, praise that I have carried with pride forever. It must be a very bright lamp!

Brian Forrest, Over Wallop