Heritage, but not as we know it?

The Migrant, Heritage HQ’s first exhibition created by artists M+R, opened in St Marie’s on Saturday 19th March.

Neil Musson and Jono Retallick are the project’s Heritage Architects – tasked with bringing stories of the borough’s past industries and trades to life in a new way.

Neil and Jono have gathered family stories, exploring where people came from and what work they did, across generations in the Widnes area. These family histories have been recorded by local people in the form of core samples which will go on display in the exhibition

After talking about the exhibition to a couple of Heritage HQ volunteers, one of them commented that a good way of summing it up was ‘heritage, but not as we know it’; a different way of recording and sharing what we know about the past. It’s a bit Star Trek, but it might be right. Come along and see what you think…

You can visit the display any day of the week up until 2nd April (except for Mother’s Day on 27th March).

Matthew (from St Marie’s Heritage Group) created the core sample shown in the photograph below. The different colours represent stages in his journey to St Marie’s. This includes (starting on the right) purple & white for St Luke’s RC Primary School, red & black for Frodsham JFC, orange & black for the University of York, green & white for Halton Community Radio, purple, blue and white for Halton & St Helens VCA and (lastly) blue for St Marie’s.

This website includes information about the Heritage Events & Activities organised by the St Marie’s Heritage Group. Posts are displayed chronologically with the most recent ones at the top. You can search for old events via the dates on the side. Or you can look for information & photos through the Pages listed in the black crossbar menu above.

The volunteers of St Marie’s Heritage Group were delighted to welcome over 130 visitors to St Marie’s on Tuesday 7^th December (possibly a record attendance for St Marie’s since 2014) for our annual Christmas Carol Concert – the unofficial start to Christmas in Widnes.

Guests enjoyed free mulled wine, hot drinks and mince pies (kindly donated by Ged, the Manager at Tesco) before enjoying a wonderful performance from The St Wilfred’s Parish Choir, led by the always amazing Frances Atherton.

The packed to capacity room sounded magnificent and everyone joined in to share the Christmas Spirit. We are incredibly grateful to Frances and her Choir for making the evening such a special event. We’re also very grateful to Bishop Rawsthorne who joined us to provide a Christmas blessing.

The St Marie’s Heritage Group did a fabulous job decorating the Altar & tree. Huge thanks to everyone who came along and joined in – we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Finally…. The Carol Concert marked the end of Maeve Moran’s involvement with the St Marie’s Heritage Group. Maeve has been an incredible help to the group over the past 5 years and we will miss her more than you can imagine. Thank you Maeve! Huge thanks to her husband Dan too for all his help.

Please note that all available places for our upcoming Christmas Carol Concert with the Parish Choir of St Wilfrid have now been reserved. Places have been distributed on a first come first served basis. We apologise to anyone who was hoping to attend the event but had not yet booked a place.

There is always a limit to the number of people who can visit St Marie’s at any one time, but given the current situation with the pandemic, we need to be especially careful.

Please do not attend if you have not reserved a place.

Huge thanks to everyone who has booked their place. We look forward to welcoming you to St Marie’s on Tuesday 7^th December. The first Carol will be sung at 7pm. The building will be open from 6pm.

Kind regards,

Matthew Roberts

Tuesday 7^th December at 7pm.

St Marie’s, Lugsdale Road, Widnes. WA8 6DB.

What could be more magical than gathering in a warm St Marie’s on a brisk December evening to join family & friends (both old & new) in singing some Christmas carols?

We think it’s the perfect way to start the Christmas season.

The St Marie’s Heritage Group are delighted to welcome back the wonderful Parish Choir of St Wilfrid who will be leading attendees in a Christmas Carol singalong on the night. The choir will be choosing their favourite traditional Carols and we will provide copies of the words for anyone who (like me) always worries about forgetting the next line. The choir will be positioned in front of the beautiful St Marie’s Altar and attendees will sit facing them on the pews and other chairs. We think that when we all sing together, it will all sound magnificent.

There will be mince pies, mulled wine, hot drinks and our usual array of fabulous biscuits. There will be plenty of time to chat and catch up with old friends after the Carols have been sung.

It’s free to attend, but in light of Covid 19, places are limited, so please reserve yours quickly to avoid disappointment.

The event is extremely popular and it is unfair on people who have booked places if they are unable to sit down, so please do book in advance!

To reserve your place, please contact Matthew Roberts on (01928) 592 405 or e-mail mroberts@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk

Saturday 16^th October 2021 (2pm till 4pm)

The St Marie’s Heritage Group would like to welcome you back to St Marie’s for another of our friendly Heritage Events and get togethers. Come & see old friends and enjoy a warm drink, a delicious biscuit and a good chat.

On the day, we’ll be displaying the always popular Parish Mission Logs (or “The Books” as they’ve come to be known at our events). You can browse through all the handwritten parish notice books (or Mission Logs) from 1865 until the Church closed for worship. Find your family names recorded in a variety of ways – including marriage banns! These books are a rich source of history, being the written account of the priests’ notices that were read from the pulpit at the end of Mass. You will be surprised at what you can discover.

There’s no need to book a place, just call in at St Marie’s between 2pm and 4pm. As always we’ll have our award winning tea & biscuits on offer.

We will try our very best to keep the building well ventilated. Facemasks are not compulsory, but you are very welcome to wear one if you would like to do so.

For further information, please call Matthew Roberts on (01928) 592 405 (Option 2).

Saturday 31^st July 2021 – From 1pm until 4pm.

The St Marie’s Heritage Group would like to welcome you back to St Marie’s for our first public gathering in over a year.

To celebrate re-opening the Church, we’ll be displaying the always popular Parish Mission Logs (or “The Books” as they’ve come to be known at our events).

You can browse through all the handwritten parish notice books (or Mission Logs) from 1865 until the Church closed for worship. Find your family names recorded in a variety of ways – including marriage banns! These books are a rich source of history, being the written account of the priests’ notices that were read from the pulpit at the end of Mass.

You will be surprised at what you can discover.

There’s no need to book a place, just call in at St Marie’s between 1pm and 4pm. As always we’ll have our award winning tea & biscuits on offer.

We will try our very best to keep the building well ventilated. Facemasks are not compulsory, but you are very welcome to wear one if you would like to do so.

For further information, please call Matthew Roberts on (01928) 592 405 (Option 2).

Father Fox was the Parish Priest at St Marie’s when the Church closed it’s doors for the final time in 2007. The members of the St Marie’s Heritage Group were deeply saddened to hear that he had passed away. Please note the obituary below which was published by the Liverpool Archdiocesan Office. Details of Father Fox’s funeral which will be held on Monday 15th March and will be live streamed online are below the Obituary.

Peter Michael Fox was born at Park House Nursing Home, Waterloo, Liverpool, on 23rd May 1944, the eldest of three children born to John and Rita Fox (née Deasy) and baptised at St Edmund’s, Waterloo, on 3rd June 1944. When he was seven, his mother died and his father later remarried, so that in time he also had a stepbrother and sister. He received his early education at St Edmund’s Primary School, Waterloo, The Mount, Blundellsands, and St Mary’s College, Crosby. Aged 12, he entered the seminary at Ushaw to begin his training for the priesthood. He was ordained priest at St Joseph’s, Blundellsands, on 8th March 1969.

Following ordination he served in a number of parishes across the archdiocese as assistant priest and in a number of different capacities: St Aloysius, Roby (September 1969); St Joseph, Chorley (May 1976); Christ the King, Liverpool (November 1980); St Mary’s, Highfield Street, Liverpool (September 1981), during which time he served briefly as chaplain to Liverpool Polytechnic; the Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool (September 1983), where he was the leader of the team of chaplains at The Royal Liverpool Hospital. In April 1986 he received his first appointment as parish priest, when he was appointed at Our Lady of Walsingham, Netherton. He moved in September 1991 to St John Fisher, Widnes, where he would remain for the next twenty years. Between 2000 and 2007 he also had the additional responsibility of St Marie’s, Widnes. His final appointment began in September 2011, when he was appointed parish priest at St Luke’s, Whiston.

Peter was a man devoted to his priestly ministry and to prayer, serving faithfully those to whom he was sent to minister: in parishes, especially among the sick; in the hospitals where he served as chaplain, latterly at Whiston and previously at the Royal; in the schools of his parishes; and as chaplain to the Guild of Catholic Doctors and to Council No. 18 of the Knights of St Columba. He accompanied many pilgrimages to Lourdes with Hosanna House, to Walsingham and to the Holy Land.

Peter had many interests with which to fill his moments of leisure. He was an avid supporter of Everton Football Club, a life member at Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, he loved music and playing the guitar, and he enjoyed the challenge of the cryptic crossword in The Times each day. Above all, he enjoyed the company of his brother priests, especially on his golfing days and at the many Sunday lunches he enjoyed at St Anne’s, Ormskirk.

Whilst he was a student at Ushaw, Peter was diagnosed with a severe form of type 1 diabetes, something which he had to live with for the rest of his life. To better manage his health condition, Peter was assisted in his work from 1989 by Sister Eileen Moore of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Clare. She remained in this role until his death.

Peter had been preparing for his impending retirement in May after more than fifty years of active priestly ministry. Sadly, on the very day of his sudden death, Wednesday 24th February 2021, he had been due to visit his retirement flat in Maghull.

May he rest in peace.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Peter Fox, who died on 24th February 2021. He was 76 years of age and was in the 52nd year of his priesthood.

Vigil Mass: Fr Peter’s body will be received into St Luke’s Church, Whiston, for Mass at 7.00 p.m. on Sunday 14th March. Bishop Tom will preside.

Requiem Mass: Monday 15th March at St Luke’s Church, Whiston, at 11.00 a.m. Archbishop Malcolm will preside.

Burial will follow in the cemetery at Saints Peter and Paul, Crosby.

Due to the current restriction on numbers attending funerals, any clergy wishing to attend the Requiem Mass (no concelebration) should consult with Father Andrew Rowlands (Dean of Knowsley) smaaa@rcaol.org.uk or 0151 546 9687 beforehand. Once the family numbers have been confirmed he will be able to allocate places to others.

It is hoped that both Masses will be live-streamed for the benefit of those who cannot attend in person. Details of the links to access the live-streaming service will be issued later.

With every good wish,

Aidan Prescott

Canon Aidan Prescott

Vicar General

Thursday 12th March (13.00 till 16.00) at St Marie’s.

The St Marie’s Heritage Group need your help!

We’ve recently received funding to update and create a new St Marie’s Timeline which we hope to have on display in the church in the very near future.

On Thursday 12th March between 1pm and 4pm St Marie’s church will be open for anyone to come along with old photos and memorabilia of their time (or their relatives time) at St Marie’s Church or School.

It might relate to a wedding, first communion, walking day or anything you have that has a link to St Marie’s.

On the day we will endeavour to scan your photos and documents so you can return home with them.

There will of course be refreshments available and we hope as many as possible can come along and contribute to the new timeline.

If you’re unable to come along on the day, but would like to contribute something to the St Marie’s Timeline, please e-mail Peter Finney on petervfinney@tiscali.co.uk

The new display will be funded by Tesco Bags of Help, Halton Borough Council’s Area Forums and our own fundraising activities. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed.

Happy New Year! Apologies – this review is very late. Sorry.

The volunteers of St Marie’s Heritage Group were delighted to welcome over 115

visitors to St Marie’s for our Christmas Carol Concert & Singalong on Monday 16th December.

Guests enjoyed free mulled wine, hot drinks and mince pies before enjoying a wonderful performance from The St Wilfred’s Parish Choir, led by the brilliant Frances Atherton.

The packed to capacity room sounded magnificent and everyone joined in to share the Christmas Spirit. We are incredibly grateful to Frances and her Choir for making the evening such a special event. We’re also very grateful to former Parish Priest, Father Peter Fox who joined us to provide a Christmas blessing.

The St Marie’s Heritage Group did a fabulous job decorating the Altar & tree and even the St Marie’s lights played their part this year, remembering to come back on after “Silent Night”.

Huge thanks to everyone who came along and joined in – we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Here’s the feedback we collected on the night.

Was there anything you particularly liked?

– Great evening, fabulous venue.
– Love the carol singing. Great atmosphere. This was my 1st time here & hopefully I will be here again next year.
– Loved the memories of my childhood singing in Miss Pinnington’s choir and Sunday Mass with the Christmas tree lit.
– I really enjoyed this evening, in particular when the lights were dimmed for “Silent Night”. Really appreciate the Choir’s time & effort.
– Really enjoyable. Nice seeing familiar faces too. Choir very good.
– Really enjoyed tonight in my old Church. Loved it.
– I was brought up in Quinn Street so always enjoy events here. Loved the singing.
– The altar area and Christmas tree were beautifully dressed.
– Beautiful singing in amazing surroundings!
– Excellent night.
– Liked everything. Brilliant night.
– The lights off for Silent Night.
– Very enjoyable. Choir.
– Everything was lovely.
– The whole evening was amazing.
– I like singing along and listening to beautiful voices.
– Marvelous.
– Loved the atmosphere.
– Lovely Carol Service. Very enjoyable.
– The Singing.
– Singing.
– Always great.
– Liked the whole evening, choir was fantastic.
– Wonderful evening. Thank you.
– An outstanding community evening.
– The Altar.
– Great night.
– Absolutely beautiful. Thank you.
– Really enjoyed the whole evening.
– Good night.
– Loved the choir.
– Loved it.
– Absolutely excellent.
– The atmosphere was full of joy and the real Christmas spirit – thank you!
– It was an excellent evening.
– Warm welcome.
– AB FAB!! Had a wonderful time. Thank you!!
– Absolutely brilliant
– Wonderful evening.
– Refreshments & raffle & the host. Lovely community vibe.
– The welcome. Warm community spirit. Refreshments.
– Everyone was welcoming and the concert was fab and made me feel very festive. Thank you.

Was there anything you particularly disliked?

– Sound system could be improved.
– Would like more of a half time break to allow us to chat with other people.
– Suggestion: Speakers given a microphone as people at the rear unable to hear clearly?
– Sat at the back. Could not hear a lot. Even the raffle Nos.
– Could not hear Roger at the back sorry.

Any ideas for future Heritage Events at St Marie’s?

– Events to bring back memories of St Marie’s School. Also, have you considered sponsorship of, for example, benches, which families could do.
– Surprise me!
– Just keep doing what you’re doing.
– Make Carol Service longer.
– Christmas fayre?
– More singing events.
– Whist Drive.
– Keep it going! (Old teachers etc)
– VE Day Tea Party W/E 9/10 May 2020?
– I will come to anything & everything.
– Shout louder!
– Local history.
– Christmas Eve Carol Concert in afternoon. Musicals night. Christmas meal for the needy. Easter concert.
– Regular sing a long nights. Christmas Day Meal for the needy. Nativity.
– I’m not sure at the moment but will join the facebook page and enjoy forthcoming events.