MADAM, I have had an enquiry at the Heritage Centre that your readers may be able to help with. Mrs Barbara Moran remembers seeing Japanese ladies and gentlemen at the Valley Hotel in Edde Cross Street during the war.

She understands they were evacuated to Ross from the Japanese Embassy in

London, to get away from the blitz. She seems to think they were the wives and children of those gentlemen at the Embassy and that they came to Ross because it was the furthest point by train that they could stay in safely, to enable the men to visit for weekends and holidays. If anyone can remember this and can elaborate on this part of Ross history Mrs

Moran and myself would be very pleased to hear from you. All information received at the Heritage Centre will be forwarded to Mrs Moran.

Mary Sinclair Powell, Senior Heritage Assistant, Ross Heritage Centre

PS. By the way, I have had a lot of enquiries regarding the box that has appeared on the lamp post on the Market apron. I understand that this is part of the new wifi system that has been purchased for Ross from an Advantage West Midlands grant received last year. There should be more boxes around the town and by the riverside in the future.