Old Gregorian Association

Old Gregorian Association

The association was formed in 1928, a year after the school’s first intake of pupils had completed its four-year course.  Throughout the Thirties, it was a strong cohesive force keeping former pupils together and promoting outings and social events. Mr Holmes became its President and it also had a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretaries. It also published a diary of its social activities which included dances in the school hall, dramatic presentations, rambles, camping, games at school, cycling ventures on Sundays, an annual reunion and an annual Mass at the end of November at St Mary’s Church, Mulberry Street, Manchester. 

Many members of staff took an active interest in the association, among them Mr Ashworth, Mr Clift, Mr Corney, Mr J.P. Walsh, Mr D. Whealing and Mr J. Clark. 

Bala, in Wales, was a regular campsite for the association and Johnny Sparkes, for many years a stalwart of the association, remembered that even the uncertain weather of Christmastide could not prevent the Old Gregorians from taking to the great outdoors.

The association kept up a busy programme through the depressed years prior to the Second World War and was always strong on sports. Johnny Sparkes has recalled the great comradely spirit of the Thirties, with Old Gregorians going on cycling tours on machines that were hardly in spanking new condition. Nevertheless, they met the challenge of the open road and had a great deal of fun in doing so.

During the war, with many stalwarts serving in the forces, Lou Fairbairn looked after the association’s affairs and, in post-war years, Johnny Sparkes was again to the fore, with Tony Spiller as one of those who helped to keep the Old Gregorians on the map.

Earliest born teacher

Most of the teachers appointed in the school’s early years were born in the late nineteenth century. Mr Peter Doonan, who taught handicraft between 1925 and 1929, had the distinction of being the ‘earliest born’, his date of birth being in February 1885.

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