D E Margrett awakens some happy memories with his reference to horse manure.

Victoria Avenue was not always congested with cars but a fair amount of horse-drawn traffic passed along at one time.

Frequently, a steaming load was deposited in the roadway. But within minutes, someone would be out with bucket and shovel to scoop up the prize.

I have even known neighbours fight over who saw it first. Then there was the notable occasion when a certain infant saw fit to roll it up in a ball and bombard a passing curate.

We older lads often hung on the back of a passing cart for a free ride, hoping no passing adult would spot us.

It was a dangerous practice, particularly when cars became more plentiful. With Nadin's coalyard just around the corner in Wyld's Lane, the railways goods yard in Midland Road and passing vegetable vendors or milk drays, there was never any need for gardeners to contemplate using chemical fertiliser.

JOHN HINTON,

Worcester.