While it was grand to note that auctioneer John Pallister (letters March 25) is still in good blow, I am not so sure whether or not I needed to be reminded of my time in Skipton Parish Church choir.

However, John's mention of what some of us got up to after being let loose from choir practice around 8.30pm to 9pm might at least have prompted a huge smile from three humble ladies 'high above'.

The McGlincy sisters lived on one of the - now demolished - houses near the top of Albert Street which was invariably on our target list of yards and streets off Skipton High Street where, as primary school kids after choir practice, would run up one alley and down the next - knocking loudly on every door. Then, about 10 minutes later, we would come round again.

Chancing it for a third time was probably a bit too risky as some residents would be on their guard to try and collar us. But myself and my future Skipton rugby playing colleague, Richard Jessop, decided to give it a go. Thus, tearing up Albert Street for the third time and evading one or two 'would be tacklers' along the way, we thought that we might almost be home and dry.

Almost home and dry, but not quite. I was about 20 yards behind Richard on this third lap for I had slowed to knock once more on a few doors. That gap being just sufficient time-wise for one of the aforementioned ladies - with the other two already out in the street ready to cheer - come back out armed with a chamber pot full of, you know what. Yes, all over me!

One thing though, be sure I never went knocking on doors on Albert Street ever again.

Meanwhile, on a brighter note many years later and long after those houses had been demolished I finished up in my employment role with Craven District Council collecting rent at their old people's bungalow on the Horse Close - Greatwood estate.

Great pals they would become and reminding of the 'soaking' episode, two of the remaining sisters said 'it did not just make our night, it made our entire year. Grand, then, to put a smile on someone's face.

As a footnote for the benefit of readers growing up in today's plusher society, all the old town centre dwellings had no bathroom or toilet and families were having to share one humble privy (outside toilet) at the far end of the street or beyond. Hence the need for the chamber pot.

Roger Ingham

Aldersley Avenue

Skipton