Please note that all available places for our upcoming Christmas Carol Concert 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, but we are limited in the number of people who can visit the building at any one time.

The Christmas Carol Concert (organised by the volunteers of the St Marie’s Heritage Group) will take place on Monday 16th December.

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

Kind regards,

Matthew Roberts

Hi everyone.

Just a quick update to say that well over half of the places for our Christmas Carol Concert on Monday 16th December have now been reserved.

Don’t miss out! Reserve your free place before they’re all gone!

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

Monday 16th December at 7pm.

It’s an event so popular that it’s become a tradition in its own right. 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 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

St Marie’s Heritage Group – Memorabilia Open Day

 This Saturday! 16^th November (14.00 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 Saturday 16th November between 2pm 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 Saturday, 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.

Visitors to St Marie’s enjoying the old Timeline

On Saturday the volunteers of the St Marie’s Heritage Group were delighted to welcome former parishioners back into St Marie’s to enjoy a very special performance from the Dukes of Halton Ukulele Band. Attendees had a great time singing along to some classic tracks, as well as enjoying the legendary complimentary tea & biscuits that are enjoyed at all St Marie’s Heritage Group events.

Here’s the feedback we collected on the day….

Any Comments?

Was there anything you particularly liked?

– Very entertaining (Excellent)
– Community atmosphere. Comfortable surroundings. Good social occasion.
– Loved looking around the Church, many happy memories.
– Nice choice of music by ukulele orchestra!
– It was lively & entertaining
– Happy, friendly atmosphere
– Enjoyed the music & chat to friends
– All brilliant!!
– A lovely couple of hours. Loved the bright waist coats
– Very good as usual
– Loved it all
– Everything was enjoyable
– No we always enjoy events in here.
– Loved the ukulele band
– Everything very enjoyable
– I think you have changed this church into very good thing for different businesses.
– Lovely

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

– Musical events always welcome
– More musical events!
– Whatever is on in St Maries. We love coming here. We look on it as our spiritual home. Looking forward to Carol Concert (again)
– More sing-alongs. BINGO!!!
– Candle lit/carol service like last year!
– Sorry – can’t think of anything.
– Carol concert
– Another carol service before Christmas this year
– Christmas Carol Service would be good
– Hopefully another Christmas Carols Event

If you are interested in a Christmas Carol Concert, please check our website tomorrow morning for a very exciting announcement.

St Marie’s Heritage Group – Dukes of Halton Ukelele Band
On Saturday 9th November between 2pm and 4pm the St Marie’s Heritage Group will be hosting the Dukes of Halton for an afternoon of music and song. Why not join us for a fun afternoon and sing along in St Marie’s church. There will be tea and biscuits and the opportunity to catch up with friends old and new. Everybody is welcome and whilst there is no charge to attend, there are only a limited number of places available. Attendees must reserve their place in advance by contacting Matthew Roberts on 01928 592405 or mroberts@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk

St Marie’s Heritage Group – Memorabilia Open Day
St Marie’s Heritage Group need your help to update and create a new timeline to be on display in the church in the very near future. On Saturday 16th November between 2pm 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 weddings, 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.

Attendees arriving for the event

The volunteers of St Marie’s Heritage Group were delighted to entertain a room full of guests for a very special reminiscence event on Saturday afternoon. Former parishioners and school attendees gathered to share their memories of playing rugby at St Marie’s. The room was alive with laughter as memories were shared of teachers who coached the rugby team and learning to tackle on a concrete playground.

George Nicholls talked to attendees

Attendees were delighted to hear from two very special guests; John Foran who brought in his collection of medals and two Widnes shirts he wore at Wembley in 1975 & 1976 and George Nicholls, who talked about his journey from playing for St Marie’s which took him all the way to playing for Great Britain in the 1972 World Cup Final.

Here’s the feedback we collected on the day:

Was there anything you particularly liked?

– Everyone recalling their memories.
– I particularly enjoyed the chance to talk and catch up with old friends.
– It was great to reminisce and look at the wonderful memories through the photos. Bonus George Nicholls and John Foran attending.
– Very enjoyable afternoon.
– Photographs/stories
– Was great to see some Widnes Rugby League Players – really enjoyed all the photos and stories.
– Meeting old friends and talking about old times.
– Everyone made you welcome.
– Wonderful day.
– A wonderful time. Traced many people.
– Enjoyed, not from Widnes but really interesting. Look forward to more events.
– Well done everybody whose organised it.
– Enjoyed the old memories. Meeting old friends.
– Enjoyed meeting and chatting to all.
– Liked meeting people I’ve not seen for years.
– Loved everything.
– Nice to meet people and talk old times.
– Wonderful atmosphere! Loved to “jangle”.

Was there anything you particularly disliked?

– Not really. Just the usual negative comment about lack of microphones!
– Need a microphone
– Acoustics – sound not the best. Cushions on the benches!
– Sound in the venue is quite poor.
– Need a microphone
– No
– No

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

– Able to see births, marriage register.
– Fishermore and more
– Can’t wait for Christmas event.
– More conversation opportunities.

Dan Moran talks us through an old school team photo

Rugby has played a huge part in the life of our town.

On Saturday 14th September (from 2pm till 4pm), the St Marie’s Heritage Group will be coming together with former parishioners, school attendees and fans of local history to reminisce and play tribute to the boys and men who played rugby at St Marie’s School & Parish in Widnes.

Did your father, brother, grandfather or friend play, coach or get involved with rugby for St Marie’s? If so, we’d love to hear your memories of them. Did they love playing rugby? What did it mean to them? What impact did it have on them as people? Who were the coaches? Where did they play? What did they wear?

Does anyone know of any parishioners or St Marie’s school attendees who went on to play for Widnes rugby league or any professional club?

Attendees are invited to bring along photographs or artefacts which will be projected onto a big screen so that they can enjoyed and discussed by everyone in attendance.

Whilst there is no charge to attend the event, there are only a limited number of places available. Attendees must reserve their place in advance. To reserve your place, please contact Matthew Roberts via 01928 592 405 or mroberts@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk

Please note that Matthew will not be in work between Monday 29th July and Friday 2nd August.

The volunteers of St Marie’s Heritage Group were delighted to entertain a room full of guests for a special presentation and reminiscence event on Saturday afternoon. Group member (and former Head of St Marie’s School), Roger Harrison led the talk and provided fascinating insight into the history of the school. Roger was able to show extracts from the School Minute Book on a big screen and explained the context behind the recorded words.

Not surprisingly, Roger delivered his presentation with his customary warmth and whit.

Attendees were also able to look through the hand written Parish Logs and search for family Marriage Banns and other notices.

Roger starts his Presentation

Here’s the feedback we collected on the day:

Was there anything you particularly liked?

– Liked the history of the schools. Enjoyed looking at books and finding Marriage Banns.
– Liked it all. Really interesting. Let’s have more.
– Was satisfied and thoroughly enjoyed.
– Excellent talk by Roger.
– Excellent presentation.
– A very interesting talk by Roger.
– Very interesting & informative.
– I found it very interesting. I found my wedding banns from 1967.
– Enjoyed the books. Generations of familiar names – even to this day.
– Enjoyed the presentation immensely. Pleasant journey back in time of the history. The presentation was great, inserting humour along with personal experiences to make it more enjoyable & interesting. Was transported to another time.
– Very interesting.
– Seeing how things & events from yesteryear happened.
– Very informative. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.
– All of it.
– All of it.
– Very interesting. Really enjoyed it.
– Very interesting talk from Roger.
– Really informative & interesting. Great to hear so much about Miss Pinnington – she was a star!

Was there anything you particularly disliked?

– Nothing

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

– Looking into the history of the Chemical Industry in the area. How this had an effect on the area and population rise.
– Would love to have more local speakers especially old St Marie’s ex pupils talking about their experiences at the school and church.
– Excellent. Please continue the good work.
– Would like to see wedding photos of the past 100 years. Also, if anyone has photos of school classes and teachers.
– Would love individuals who have a history here to take time telling personal stories & accounts of time spent here.
– Saturday afternoon singalong.
– How about a local heritage quiz?
– Music.
– Quiz, music.
– We could all bring old photos of the Church and School and view them under the projector – and then say a few words about them.

Attendees moved around the room to examine different Mission Logs

Teresa & Anne – Best Friends at St Marie’s. Reunited after 50 years!

Saturday 4th May 2.00PM – 4.00PM
St Marie’s, Lugsdale Road, Widnes.

The St Marie’s Heritage Group are pleased to announce that, by popular demand, we will be making available the St Marie’s Parish “Notice Books” once again for inspection and discussion. In the days of the Latin Mass, the notices were read out to the congregation at the end of Mass – the only “English” language used! These notice books are in effect the modern equivalent of a parish newsletter.

In addition, for the first time ever, we will be presenting extracts from the St. Marie’s School Board of Governors Minutes Book – a rich source of the history of all three schools – Infant, Girls and Boys Schools. As with the Notice Books, there are many hidden gems that will educate, entertain and amuse you.

Roger Harrison, one of the St Marie’s Heritage Group volunteers will lead you and guide you through some of the more interesting parts of the Minutes Book.

This should be a very interesting two hours with once again, all present adding their own tales to the materials on view.

Places are limited for this special event and must be reserved in advance of the event. To reserve your free place please contact Matthew Roberts via mroberts@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk or (01928) 592 405.