My father was also a policeman and our family was stationed at the Police Headquarters at the Kylins in Morpeth during the 1950's. I can well recall Sgt Bee and his family.

My father took me into the Police headquarters from time to time to show me some of Sgt Bee's photographs.

I remember a particular photograph on the wall in the Headquarters building and I think it was most probably taken by Sgt Bee but I am not absolutely sure of that fact.

The photo showed Bridge Street in Morpeth with pedestrians crossing at the zebra crossing, which I think still stands at the same position on the street to this day.

However, the photographer had superimposed the River Wansbeck onto the street, so that the river appeared to be running down the road. Additionally, he had positioned the Morpeth stepping stones at the same point on the photograph as the crossing, cleverly giving the impression that the pedestrians were crossing a river.

I was very young at the time and the picture fascinated me.
In today's high-tech world it would possibly not have the same impact but I was grateful to Sgt Bee or whoever compiled the photograph for the pleasure it brought to me.

MALCOLM THOMPSON
Ponteland