THIRTY six years ago while involved in topic work on astronomy, Hollins Green CE School pupil Edward Walker, took Herbert Zim's book The Solar System from the library shelf and learned that the next total eclipse of the sun visible in the UK would be in 1999.

His chum Ian Webster and he then made a pact that they would view the eclipse.

Accordingly, Dr Walker, now head of the Hesketh Fletcher CE High School in Atherton and who still lives in Hollins Green, Ian and his family, who live in Woolston, and their friends are now in Penryn ready for the big moment at 11.11am next Wednesday.

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