UPDATE ON GOLBORNE St THOMAS SCHOOL PETITION With regard to Mrs M Brindle’s letter dated 9/11/15. At no time did the petition make reference to the demolition of the school hall or the school changing its name! The petition was raised as a result of changes brought about subsequent to the opening of the hall by the Bishop of Liverpool Rt. Rev Clifford Arthur Martin on the 29th August 1959. In the Leigh Reporter dated 4/9/1959 he was quoted saying that the Golborne Parish Church’s new £15,000 assembly hall and extensions as “well worthwhile and of inestimable value to the PARISH.” With regard to Jon Richardson’s letter dated 6/11/15 and sent to Mrs Brindle. He makes reference to inaccuracies in the petition and states that “it has never been a parish hall”. This is in conflict with the Bishop’s comments when he opened the hall as stated above. If he has seen documentation concerning the hall he should produce it. Also when was the charge of £12 per hour introduced? The drama group have also used the classrooms for many years, did they have to pay anything? As far as the resignation of the Governors were concerned when the Chair of governors and his deputy resign surely it is right to say that senior school governors have resigned. Summary of Leigh Reporter Article on the 4/9/1959 The rector, Rev A. A. Clague paid tribute to all the good givers and workers in the parish for making the occasion possible. On Saturday morning the rector received cheques for £50, £25 and £10 and many other smaller ones and he expressed appreciation to the spontaneous generosity which the project had evoked. Although the project has taken a long time to reach fruition the Bishop described it as “well worthwhile and of inestimable value to the parish,” and went on to congratulate Mr Clague upon being the moving spirit behind the scheme. “If it had not been for his guidance, inspiration and enthusiasm the hall would never have been built,” said the Bishop. “We are very proud of Golborne’s parochial schools,” he went on “because these schools are church schools in the fullest sense; they are closely linked with the church and the children grow up in the church.” See Images Below - Please copy and paste the links into your browser to see the images: Original Letter: http://s22.postimg.org/9xo0clsc1/letter_1.jpg http://s15.postimg.org/mnq6abj3f/letter_2.jpg http://s4.postimg.org/8bpd654dp/letter_3.jpg Evidence: http://s3.postimg.org/sg8pucqgj/image.jpg http://s22.postimg.org/5m8lf306p/CCI27112015_00001.jpg