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Promotions, 1932
This year saw St Gregory’s achieve a unique treble. Three masters obtained headships and, in this way, broke the spell that had been created over the years. Mr Holmes had longed for this moment and was overjoyed at the recognition of the school in the eyes of others. With the departure of Mr Clift to the headship of St Cuthbert’s, Withington, in January, Mr Froehlich to St Clare’s, Blackley, in April, and Mr Avery to St Ambrose, West Didsbury, in July, the way was open for others to follow. More were destined to leave the school to become headmasters in the years to come.
Appointment of Mr A.J. Rocca, April 1932
Ambrose Joseph Rocca, aged 22, was appointed to the school in April 1932. Mr Holmes recorded that Mr Rocca “was given classes in the science laboratories”. In a Report of the school for 1936-37, it was stated that Mr Rocca taught geography, book-keeping and shorthand. He was also able to successfully teach a wide range of other subjects including music.
Sketch plan of the school, 1932
Form 3 class, 1933
Featuring 35 boys and their teacher, this professionally-taken photograph dates from the 1930s. The writing on the board reads: “ST. GREGORY’S R.C. SEPT. 1933 FORM 3”. The original photograph, which was somewhat damaged, has been improved and the outcome is clear to see. Note the caretaker’s quarters in the background, and the door through which the headmaster would emerge on the short walk from his office to the playground.
Opening of Manchester Central Library, 1934
Visits to Manchester by members of the royal family were huge public occasions, as was the case in July 1934 when their majesties the King and Queen came to the city. King George V, after laying the foundation stone for the Town Hall extension, officially opened the newly built Central Library in St Peter’s Square. Schools throughout the city, including St Gregory’s, were closed as pupils were given a holiday to celebrate the royal visit. Thousands of children, together with thousands of adults, lined the streets to welcome and support the royal couple.
At the library’s opening ceremony King George declared: “In the splendid building which I am about to open, the largest library in this country provided by a local authority, the [Manchester] Corporation have ensured for the inhabitants of the city magnificent opportunities for further education and for the pleasant use of leisure.”
The unusual building was loosely modelled on Rome’s Pantheon and became the ‘jewel’ in Manchester’s civic heart, being one of the city’s most recognisable buildings.
According to the Manchester Guardian, it was agreed to issue commemorative souvenir handkerchiefs free to every Manchester school child to mark the historic opening of the library. Over 123,000 were issued to children in the city. In the end some 250,000 were printed, with school children in surrounding districts such as Stretford also receiving one. The Central Library became one of the city’s iconic buildings and was a popular place of study for generations of Gregorians, both pupils and staff alike, as well as housing a theatre and coffee bar.
Manchester Central Library, 17th July 1934
Crowds of well-wishers line the streets awaiting the arrival of King George V. The library was opened amid great pomp and ceremony
Commemorative souvenir handkerchief
Every school child in the city received one similar, although some may not have been as colourful as this example. Among the features on the brightly decorated handkerchief were portraits of KING GEORGE V and QUEEN MARY; a print of the CENTRAL LIBRARY; a row of books with the words ‘KNOWLEDGE IS POWER’; a title ‘A NEW PAGE in the HISTORY of MANCHESTER’; the Manchester city coat of arms; and the fact that the foundation stone of the new library was laid by The Rt. Hon. JAMES RAMSAY MacDONALD, PRIME MINISTER, on MAY 6th 1930. Children would be reminded of the library every time they needed to sneeze or blow their nose!
Manchester Boys, English Shield winners 1934-35
Standing, from left: F. Dunn (Ravensbury), G. Gosnell (N. Heath T.), R. Burke (Manchester Rd.), Mr E.H. Wetton, Mr J. Midgley, Mr J.H. Davies, F. Knott (Lily Lane), C. Rhoades (Chorlton H.), William Walsh (St Gregory’s Central).
Seated, from left: H. Waters (Didsbury C.), Mr R. Mottershead, J. Miller (Spurley H.), Mr W. Hayes, R. Wilkinson (Alfred St.).
Front: T. Hessian (St Gregory’s Central), D. Stuart (Central H.)
Manchester Boys were the first team to win the English Shield in successive seasons.
W. Walsh and T. Hessian played in every competition game. Boyd, of St Gregory’s, also represented the city boys’ team during the season.
William Walsh also had the distinction of being selected for the England team and played against Scotland, Wales and Ireland. A framed photograph of him wearing his England cap was for many years displayed in the school.
Football champions, 1935-36
Pictured with the boys are Mr John Bill, left, and Mr Wilfrid Holmes, headmaster, right.
“The Music Hall”, by Arthur Delaney
Arthur Delaney was born in Manchester. His father was Frank Randle, the well-known northern comedian who was a contemporary of George Formby and Gracie Fields. Delaney’s painting was influenced by the work of L.S. Lowry and certain similarities can be seen in this oil painting featuring the Ardwick Empire in the 1930s. Frank had never appeared at the Ardwick Empire so his son put his name on the bill board in this painting for nostalgic reasons. The scene shows Higher Ardwick, left, and Hyde Road to the right of the music hall; also shown are several double-decker trams typical of that era and lots of Lowry-esque figures.
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