VICTORIA was to reign for another eight years, Gladstone occupied 10 Downing Street, and the Hansom cab was to be seen on London's streets when a local school first opened its doors.

The date was August 14,1893, but now,106 years later, around 260 pupils of St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic primary and infants school, in Hammill Street Dentons Green, have closed their desks for the last time.

However, they are eagerly looking forward to re-opening them on Monday (January 10) in a new school in Rainford Road, which head teacher Rory Orlandi describes as "purpose-built accommodation for the new Millennium."

Dedicated staff and Parent-Teacher Association members organised a nostalgia-soaked open evening at the former dispensary of the 'three Rs' when classrooms were awash with memory-jerking photographs, well-thumbed registers, reports, press cuttings etc.

Delving into the past of a school steeped in history would not be complete without mention of some of its best-remembered mentors, notably 'sergeant major' Billy Kitts, who taught at Windleshaw from 1922 to 51, and became its head-teacher, as did universally-popular Cliff McManus.

Ethel Crank, of the flowing dark locks, was a well-loved teacher for a record 42 years from 1918, and she helped 'groom' Mary Ripley, who died this year, while ex-head John O'Neill took well-earned retirement in 1998 after a 22-year stint.

Past pupils who made their mark in life include Guinness managing director Brendan O'Neill; engineering company boss Mike Worsley; Andrew Reid of West End stage fame; rugby player Andy Northey; while Bill Naylor, John Gough and brothers Raymond and Basil Walker were among men-of-the-cloth to attend Windleshaw.

Staying on a clerical note tribute should be made to one-time parish priests Fathers John Rogerson and Austin Jackson, who tended tirelessly to the religious education of the children of St Thomas of Canterbury, as does present incumbent Monsignor William Dalton, who cut the first sod of the new school.

So, with ink-wells and easels consigned to distant memory, year 2000 heralds the launch of a new era for St Thomas of Canterbury but, in order that the 'old' be retained for posterity, parishioner Glenda O'Donnell is up-dating her history of the school.

She would welcome contributions and can be contacted at 9 Hard Lane, St Helens, telephone 611075.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.