OVER the summer holidays we went to Warrington Museum to see the World Cup exhibition and renew our acquaintance with the permanent galleries, which we greatly enjoyed.

While there we found that the staff were extremely helpful and friendly.

Many years ago I went to Palmyra in Syria but couldn’t understand why Palmyra Square is so named, so I took the opportunity to ask a member of staff.

Although they didn’t know offhand they promised to do some research and let me know.

True to their word, a week later, I received an e-mail to say that Thomas Legh, of Lyme Hall and Newton, owned the land where the square stands and when he developed this land he named the square after Palmyra where he had been when he toured the Middle East in the 1810s.

Cairo and Egypt Streets may have similar origins (though there could also be a link with the local Prince of Wales Volunteers / South Lancashire Regiment for these). It is also likely that Legh Street is named after the same individual.

I just wanted to share this information and to take this opportunity to remind people if they don’t already know what a great place the museum is, how dedicated and enthusiastic the staff are and how lucky we are to have this facility.

PETER REAY Longford