Tom, for many years the general secretary of the Union of Post Office Workers was, on this wintery Thursday evening, at Colne's splendid West Lynn Hotel to present the gold honorary badge of the union to long-serving stalwart Stan Smiles on behalf of the Colne and Barnold-swick branch of the Postal Workers' Union.

Stan, a true Cockney and a marvellous character, came to Colne from London in the early 1950s, and he and his dear wife, Irene, soon became proud union officials locally, Stan representing the postmen and Irene the telephonists.

Over the years, their dedicated union duties ensured that our local sorting offices and telephone exchanges ran smoothly and with a happy workforce. Yes indeed, as seen on this week's picture, the many smiling faces of Stan and Irene's colleagues, both past and present.

Firstly, we can see the beaming face of Tom Jackson himself looking out from a magnificent 1927 Austin Chummy motor owned by well-known Trawden postman David Blackburn.

Almost a quarter of a century on, I can still hear the voice of the much-missed Tim Procter as he took this very photograph – "Can you lean further out of the car, Mr Jackson, and a big smile everyone".

So, who are those on Tim's superb picture that were guests all those years ago on Stan's big night?

Well, starting in front of the classic Vintage Austin, first up is Harold Evans. Then going to the left and clockwise, next is Leo Shore, then Tommy Kegg, followed by Eric Turner, the genial manager of Barnoldswick sorting office. Then it is David Blackburn; Peter Brierley is next and just behind is Dennis Spencer.

Peeping over the motor is Lynn Whittaker and next, raising his glass, is John Bibby, followed by cheerful Cockney Pete Young, then Debbie Johnson, who is just behind Stan's wife in her fur coat, Irene, followed by Fred Whitaker and then the man himself, the affable Eastender, Stan Smiles.

Next are the jovial duo Dick Webster and Dennis Boulger, followed by Mick Johnson at the front on the right.

On Mick's side to the left is the well-liked Barlicker, Kevin Rogan, followed by "Yours Truly", with a happy "thumbs up", next to the one and only guest of the night to honour Stan, Tom Jackson. Now Stan and Tom are today both sadly passed on, as indeed are Tommy, Eric, Fred, Dick and Dennis Boulger.

However, those of us who are still here happily today, can recall with pride the night Tom Jackson came to Colne.