I CERTAINLY remember El Cabala coffee shop (Snapshots, February 1).

It was the first coffee bar where young people met.

My group of friends met there in 1956 for a nice cappucchino, music, congenial atmosphere and a place to meet young people of all nationalities. I met a Russian guy who lived in the flat above the shop and went out with him for a while. Then I met a German fellow and dated him for a while and eventually I married a Polish man.

Who was the dishy guy behind the counter – was that Bernard?

Happy days. SANDRA GRIFFIN Paisley Road, West Southbourne