Embedded Files
School trip of boys from the 1970 intake
His Worship the Lord Mayor of Prestwich (Councillor J.B. Makin), 1972
Mr Brian Makin, looking rather splendid and regal in his mayoral robes, taught at St Gregory’s from 1952 and was especially active in organising annual school trips to the Continent in the Fifties and Sixties.
New staff
Among the staff appointed to the school in the academic year 1972-73 were Mr Michael Wilmot (head of PE), Mr Edward Brierley (English) and Mr Terence McSweeney (Deputy Headmaster and English).
Tragedy at Hough End
A tragic incident occurred in January 1973 when second-year pupil Anthony Wallace, aged 13, collapsed and died after completing a cross-country run at Hough End Playing Fields during a timetabled games session. Although he had an underlying medical condition – a heart problem – both he and his parents were keen for him to take part in normal, everyday activities including PE and sports.
Anthony had a twin brother (at St Pius) and other siblings and was described by one former teacher as ‘a nice boy, full of fun, sandy hair, smiley face’. The school choir, led by Miss Dolan, sang at his funeral Mass at St Kentigern’s Church.
Pupil’s prayer card, 1973
This folded prayer card measured approximately 3 inches across by 4¾ inches in length and could comfortably fit inside a pupil’s blazer pocket.
Options letter for third-year pupils
School playing fields, 1970s
There was a slight touch of irony in the fact that St Gregory’s, a school renowned for decades throughout the city for its sporting achievements, should acquire its own recreational playing fields just a few years before the school would be reorganised.
The playing fields were located quite nearby in part of the ‘triangle’ formed by Union Street, Higher Ardwick and Temperance Street, beyond which was the railway viaduct. The construction and layout of the playing fields was completed at a final cost of £24,730 made up as follows: Building Work £24,572, Professional Fees £158.
Midweek games sessions continued to be held at Hough End in winter and Birchfields Park in summer. Home football matches, held on Saturdays against other schools, continued to be played at Hough End. The new playing fields tended to be somewhat underused and are mainly remembered for staging cup matches, matches against the staff, training sessions and occasional individual PE lessons.
Staff v Boys football match, 1973
Back row, from left: Fr Paul Mitcheson (School Chaplain), Mr Dan Tranter, Mr Tom Sheridan, Mr George Phelan, Mr John Smith, Mr Eamon Burke, Mr Eddie Brierley, Mr Mike Wilmot, Mr Brian Potkin.
Front row, from left: Mike Beanland, John Finnegan, Mike Raftery, Denis McLoughlin, Peter Selley, Dave Burns, Dominic Mulcahy, Michael Hanna.
The game was played on the newly acquired playing fields across the road from the school; the railway viaduct can be seen in the background. The lads beat the staff, with Dominic Mulcahy scoring a hat-trick.
The oldest part of the school, about 1973
These five pupils pose in front of the former home of John Rylands on Ardwick Green North. The stone steps lead up to the famous portico which, in 1975, was classified by the Environment Department as ‘listed’ because of its architectural importance. The room immediately above the boys’ heads was used as a ‘quiet’ staff room. The caretaker and his family also used part of the former house.
At one time the ground-floor room to the left of the entrance was the headmaster’s office and was used by both Mr Holmes and Mr Rocca.
The five boys pictured are believed to be, from left: Paul Sparkes, John Timmons, Michael Dervan, Gary Singh and Alfred Tramontin.
Staff restructuring, 1973
A national restructuring of teachers’ posts and pay scales resulted in a small but significant number of staff changes. The school was entitled to a second deputy headteacher, a position that was filled by Mr Terence McSweeney, formerly head of English at St Augustine’s Grammar School for Boys in Sharston. In addition, three senior teacher posts were created and were filled by current staff, all of whom were well qualified and experienced. The successful candidates were Mr Bernard Clough (Head of Fifth Year), Mr Frank Evans (Head of Pastoral Care) and Mr Jim McIntyre (Head of Sixth Form).
The creation of more senior management positions both locally and nationally meant that ambitious teachers had more opportunities for promotion elsewhere. Within a year or so, Mr Kevin Horrocks, Mr Eamon Burke and Mr Tony Day had secured promotions elsewhere, with Mr Arthur Neilson returning to De La Salle School as head of English.
Mr W.F. Topp, R.I.P.
Mr Frank Topp, a teacher of metalwork at the school since 1960, died in August 1973 after a prolonged illness. He was 58.
New staff
Among the staff appointed during the academic year 1973-74 were Mr Patrick Cassidy (temp), Mr F.E. Tyrer (part-time), Mrs J. Drumer and Mr Francis Birch.
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