Reeves on radiogram

“Being born and living my first five years at No 31 Wellgate – known as Watt’s Close – there are so many happy memories,” emails Frank Galloway, “even going to the air raid shelters on the drying green during the war.

“But your Spotlight on Old Wellgate feature brought a slightly less distant memory to share with your readers.

“After being married in June 1964 we set up house in Dalrymple Terrace, but continued to have an ‘Auntie Jean’ at No 31 Wellgate.

“Three months later I was posted to Benbecula to be site engineer on the resurfacing of the runway, a contract that lasted almost three months, but in that time I was able to save a ‘bob or two’.

“On my return home we were paying a visit to my ‘Wellgate Auntie’ when we heard music coming from Watt’s radio and TV shop’s outside speaker. The record being played was Jim Reeves singing Distant Drums and the sound was so fantastic that we went into the shop to find out more about this great singer.

“As I had saved almost £70 being away from home, we bought the £65 radiogram that was playing the record and, after telling the assistant how we could afford this luxury, he presented us with the LP of Jim Reeves’ songs which we had heard outside the shop and which we still have after 54 years.

“Thank you for your picture page that recalled such a fond memory for us both.”