AN OLD photo printed in last week's Gazette has received a huge response from people with relatives in the picture.

Eric Whitlock, of Pontypool, found the photo in a collection of items belonging to his grandparents, Alfred and Ellen Cook, who lived at Wortley, near Wotton-under-Edge.

He said: "I had a letter from Gordon Phillips, of Kingswood, who informed me that the picture was taken outside Alma Lodge in Hillesley Road, Kingswood, and that it is a photograph of Kingswood Church choir.

"His wife recognised her great-grandfather, Mr Pollard, as the old gentleman in the doorway with the big bushy white beard.

"Harold Durn, of The Chipping, Kingswood, contacted me to say that the gentleman at the extreme right with his left hand on his chest is his grandfather, Samuel Durn, and that the man in the doorway sporting a boater hat is Harold's father, Alfred Samuel Durn.

"He also confirmed that the picture was in some way connected with Kingswood Church and that W Brailsford who wrote the message on the back was in fact the vicar at Kingswood in the early 1900s. It is likely therefore that the vicar in the centre of the photo is Mr Brailsford.

"I also had a call from May Lovell, at Cam, who recognised the tall lady standing towards the left of the photo as her mother, Louise Elizabeth Lovell (nee Cossens), known to everyone as Cissy. May's step-brother, Jack Lovell, is the shy-looking boy standing at the right of the picture next to Samuel Durn. She also thinks the man in the flat cap between Alfred and Samuel Durn is Bert Durn, the brother of Alfred."

Added Mr Whitlock: "A relative of mine thinks it quite possible that the old gentleman sat down with a walking cane may be George Bennett, my great-great-grandfather but we are not absolutely sure.

"If this jogs a few memories, I would still be grateful for more information. Many thanks to the Gazette and everyone who has contacted me so far."

Mr Whitlock can be contacted at 27 Llandegfedd Way, New Inn, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 0QZ or by calling 01495 753987 or emailing ericwhitlock@telco4u.net.