The way we were.

Alan Haydon brought an interesting set of photographs to the Lamb last night. Dating from 1982 they show the last night of Richard Barron as landlord of The Three Tuns. One group of photos charts Richards expression when he found that his favourite pipe had been welded inside a set of miniature radiator pipes. Other photos show Tuns regulars of the period marking Richards departure a significant event in the recent history of the pub.

Some of those in the photos are still very much alive and kicking, notably Maureen and Alan Haydon, Rod and Chris Furlong, Julian Watson, John Mann, Richard and Davina, Marion and Sandra and a young Miles Snowden looking suspiciously like one of the runners in the 118-118 advert. Others, sadly are no longer with us, particularly noticeable in that category, Dave Clapshaw, Geoff and Peg Garner and most recently departed, Pete Vickery. Others there have just vanished into the mists of time. What for instance became of Helen and Hugh who lived in Hederman close at the time and were permanent fixtures on the Silverton pub scene for a few years.

Perhaps its time now that we have internet facilities like Flickr to establish a permanent archive of such events, complete with a written commentary identifying participants. Often local historians are approached by people looking for traces of reletives who nwere once residents. A photo archive would be a great help to those involved in such work in the future.