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A reunion is being held for pupils of a former Preston city centre school.
Winckley Square Convent School would have been 150 years old this weekend if it was still operating.
Located on the corner of Winckley Square and Garden Street the school dated back to 1885.
It closed down in 1981 following a reorganisation of Catholic education.
Former pupils have been getting together each year with dozens of people turning out to catch up and share some food and drink.
Jo Harwood who attended the school from 1959 to 1972 is one of the organisers.
She said: “The reunions have been going a long time. I think it’s an identity, as you get older you start getting more involved in your history.
“Don’t be put off if you think you’re going to be the only one in your year because you will have lots in common with everyone there.”
The reunion takes place at Our Lady and St Edward’s church hall in Marlborough Drive, Fulwood, from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday 1 March.
Fellow reunion organiser Diane Clough, who was at the school in 1977 and one of the last pupils to attend, said: “We normally get about 50 people to the reunion but we’re hoping for more this year. We’re getting some cakes decorated in the school colours – bottle green and red. The school uniform changed a few times but those seemed the dominating colours. When we have the memory table people bring photos, school books, hats, scarves, skirts and blazers. They generate a lot of interest, stories and laughter.”
Replicas of the school badge have been organised for the reunion – featuring the motto Facta Non Verba (deeds not words) and will be on sale for £3.
See pictures below of the former school and discover more about the history
About the Winckley Square Convent School and the Society of the Holy Child Jesus Catholic (SHJC) order
The SHJC order was founded by Mother Cornelia Connelly in 1846. In 1885 the Society of the Holy Child Jesus bought 23, Winckley Square (what is the former Heathcotes restaurant building) for £2,000 and more property purchases followed. In its earlier days there were 50 pupils with 35-40 pupil teachers.
By the 1960s there were 850 junior, senior and sixth form pupils.
In 1981 reorganisation of Catholic education meant the Winckley Square Convent School site closed.
The school’s sixth form had already amalgamated with sixth forms at Preston’s Catholic College and Lark Hill Convent School to create Cardinal Newman College.
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