May I draw to your attention the one-time mention of a new book, with which I have no connection. An Industrious Minority: a history of the Bolton Jewish Community by John Cowell and Hilary Thomas will be launched on Nov 11th. at the Menorah Synagogue in Sharston, Manchester. 'The book, 309 pages long, contains over 30 photographs, including members of the community, their childhood, their places of business, their weddings, and how they fitted into the community around them. There are 10 appendices including the origins and occupations of the Jewish community; Jewish inhabitants of Bolton and Farnworth in the 1911 census; the Officers of the synagogue; and Marriages between 1906 and 1951. There are hundreds of short biographies of those who lived in the town, as well as many who visited regularly. Market records have enabled us to build up a picture of those who ran stalls offering a variety of products, many over decades. We look at the various achievements of former Bolton Jews, including a Nobel prize winner, a professor of anthropology and a Rabbi. We also discuss the part played by the Jewish community in the life of the town, including local politics.' It is obtainable from Hilary Thomas hiltone@talktalk.net or John Cowell jcowellnix@yahoo.com or from Menorah Synagogue Judaica Shop (0161 428 7746) Price: £13.99 (plus £5. 99 postage and packing) Miriam Margolyes now in Manhattan

The wooden pews from the Bolton Synagogue were passed to Bury Hebrew Congregation used in that community's early days in the 1960s. Regards Marcus Shapiro