History
Leigh
Central County Secondary School - Windermere Road, Leigh was opened by the
Mayor, Councillor G. Hunter JP on June 25th 1908.The chairman of the building
committee, Alderman H. Cowburn JP invited the Mayor to formally open the school.
The architect (the name of which the Journal doesn't tell us - a shame really)
presented the Mayor with a gold key with which to perform the opening ceremony.
Alderman Cowburn ( Chairman of the school building committee)
presided at a meeting in the boys central hall. He reported the fact that
some four of five years previously H.M. Inspector began to put pressure on
the Education Authority in consequence of the overcrowding at several of the
elementary schools and of the closing of the Bradshawgate schools. The Education
Committe at a meeting held held on June 17th 1904, appointed a committee to
take immediate steps to build a Council School.
The Primitive Methodist Sunday School in Windermere Road was used as temporary
premises for the education of 200 pupils. The foundation stone of Leigh Central
County Secondary School was laid by Alderman Greenough CC, chairman of the
Education Committee on April 23rd 1907.
An interesting note from the Mayor whilst opening the school was that "great change had come over the country in regard to education since he was a boy" and said that "I started working when i was eight years of age"
The above excerpts were taken from Leigh Journal 26th June 1908
This
is Leigh Council School celebrating Empire Day back in May 1926. A Miss Mildred
Kniveton acted the part of Britannia (anyone know her?) The musical
accompaniments were provided by the teachers of the girl's department, namely,
the Misses Taylor, Reid, Blacklock and Wilkinson. Much credit is due to Miss
Grundy (Head mistress) for the "effective manner in which she had trained
the singers and staged the performance.
Miss Naylor (Head mistress of the infants) and Mrs Mercer were were responsible for the success of the infants dancing around the Maypole.
With thanks to Leigh Chronicle 28th May 1926 for the above article.
Here is an old Christmas Carol service held at the school and "An Old Leigh Carol" believed to be penned by Handel whilst staying as a guest of Mr Guest (no pun intended) at Bedford House
Hark
! hark ! what news the angels bring
Glad tidings of a new born King;
Born of a maid, a virgin pure,
Born without sin, from guilt secure.
Hail mighty Prince, eternal King;
Let heaven and earth rejoice and sing;
Angels and men, with one accord,
Break forth in songs to praise the Lord.
Behold ! He comes and leaves the skies,
Awake, ye slumbering mortals rise,
Awake to joy, and hail the morn
The Saviour of the world was born.
With endless love He comes to dwell
On earth, to save mankind from hell;
In chorus then, with joy and mirth,
We'll celebrate our Saviour's birth.
Echo shall waft the strains around.
Till listening angels hear the sound;
And all the heavenly hosts above
Shall join to sing redeeming love.
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