It is sad to hear that the name of Preston’s of Bolton will disappear from the town, an iconic building with the clock tower and its unique rising and falling time sphere.

With memories of my grandfather Fred Houghton who was employed as a jeweller, watchmaker and repairer at Preston’s c1946 till his retirement in 1960, I believe he taught apprentices to be watchmakers & repairers in his little workshop at the very top where the little window are next to the clock tower.

I have myself bought my engagement and wedding rings from Preston’s. Remembering from my boyhood days as a 12 years old living in Darcy Lever, we did have a telly in those days and watched Bolton Wanderers beat Man United 2-0 on that sunny May day.

On the following Sunday our grandfather had arranged for us to meet him outside Preston’s myself and brother Dennis aged 11, we had cycles and biked everywhere, off we went into town and met our grandfather Fred who drove a little green Morris minor.

I remember he took both of us in through a little side door down Bank Street and up a very steep narrow stairway to his workshop which was long and narrow, there were many small tools, lathes and small magnifying glasses in their place on his workbench, explaining to us what he did at work which was very interesting, we retraced our steps back down the stairs to the ground floor he then opened a door to a strong room or vault to reveal there in all its glory: The shining FA Cup.

We stood in awe just inches away. I think our grandfather was proud to show us his workshop and above all the FA Cup that Bolton Wanderers had won the week before.

Harold Houghton