which was, incidentally, rammed with shoppers (recession?) and bumped into Bill Harry.

This happens every few months - he lives round here. Bill was one of the movers and shakers of the Mersey sound and founded Music Echo, for which I wrote a weekly column for some time in the 60s (including when it was merged with, and bought by, Disc).

Long chat; it's always nice seeing old friends and getting positive and supportive vibes.