Maurice Couve de Murville's Foreword to 'A History of Sedgely Park & Cotton College'
It ( Cotton) is an institution stretching back to the penal times when Catholic schools were officially banned in this country. It owes its origins to the great Bishop Challoner who laid the foundations of 19th century Catholicism in so many ways.
When the great Victorian era was at its height , Cotton was uprooted from its 18th century dwelling house to a neo-gothic setting created by Father Faber in a remote Staffordshire glen. There , contrary to all expectations , it flourished and produced generations of secular Priests and Catholic gentlemen.
Now once again Cotton has undergone a metamorphesis ; it is a lay school for boys and girls and has its first lay Headmaster. I hope that the history of this outstanding institution will be of encouragement to those who know it as it is and will provide a vision of its future to those who are directing it today.
M C de Murville
Archbiship of Birmingham
Early Cotton - Bishop Robert Aston Coffin at St. Wilf's
An ecclesiastical writer and bishop, b. at Brighton, England, 19 July, 1819; d. at Teignmouth, Devonshire, 6 April, 1885. He received his secondary education at Harrow and in 1837 went to Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his B.A. degree with honours in 1840. He then prepared himself for the ministry and, having received Anglican orders from the Bishop of Oxford, he was appointed in 1843 vicar of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford. While at Oxford he had become a follower of Dr. Newman, and like so many others who had joined the Oxford or Tractarian Movement he left the Anglican Church and was received into the Catholic Church at Prior Park on the feast of St. Francis Xavier, 3 December, 1845, two months after the reception of Dr. Newman. Having spent a year as tutor in the family of Mr. Ambrose de Lisle, he followed Newman to Rome to prepare himself for the priesthood, and was ordained 31 October, 1847, by the cardinal vicar. In the meantime Dr. Newman had been authorized by Pius IX to found the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England. When, in June, 1848, the Oratory was established, Father Coffin with other convert priests joined it, and he was appointed superior of St. Wilfrid's, Cotton Hall. The next year he followed a strong attraction he had felt since his conversion for the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, left the Oratory, and entered the Redemptorist novitiate at Saint-Trond, in Belgium. Having made his profession on 2 February, 1852, he returned to England and began his long and fruitful career as a zealous Redemptorist missionary. From 1850 to 1865 he was rector of St. Mary's, Clapham and from the latter year till 1882 he held the office of provincial of the English Redemptorists. These offices, however, did not prevent him from zealously labouring with pen and tongue, for, from 1852 to 1872, he was almost constantly engaged in giving missions and clergy retreats throughout England, Ireland, and Scotland, and in publishing many ascetical books.
After the death of Dr. Danell, the second Bishop of Southwark, Father Coffin was chosen as his successor, and was consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Howard, in the church of S. Alfonso, 11 June, 1882, taking possession of his see on 27 July. After an illness of several months, borne with great fortitude, Bishop Coffin died at Teignmouth, in the house of the Redemptorists which he himself had founded when provincial. "Although his name was at no time conspicuously before the world, his influence had been widely and deeply felt, and few ecclesiastics in England were held in greater esteem or affection. By the publication of many of the works of St. Alphonsus, by his labours as a preacher and missionary in his younger days, by his numerous retreats, especially to the clergy, and still more by his government of the Province of the Congregation of the Most Holy redeemer in England, Scotland, and Ireland during nearly twenty vears, he performed a quiet, solid and enduring work which will be felt for many generations" ("The Tablet", London). Among his publications are the following English translations of the Italian works of St. Alphonsus: "The Glories of Mary" (London, 1862, 1868), "The Mysteries of the Faith: The Incarnation" (London, 1854); "The Christian Virtues" (London, 1854), "The Mysteries of the Faith: The Eucharist" (London, 1855), "Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament" (London, 1855); "The Eternal Truths" (London, 1857); "A Devotion in Honour of St. Joseph" (London, I860); "The Mysteries of the Faith: The Redemption" (London, 1861); "Hymns and Verses on Spiritual Subjects" (London, 1863). He also published a translation of "The Oratory of the Faithful Soul" by Blosius (London, 1848), and several pastoral letters.
GILLOW, Bibl. Dict. of Eng..Cath., s. v.; The Tablet (London, 11 April, 1885).
B. GUIDNER
Monsignor Canon Gavin's Memories of the Papal Visit of 1982
A visit of peace and reconciliation - BBC Midlands
John Paul II was the first Pope to visit the UK and amongst the first cities he visited was Coventry. We look back at the memories of Monsignor Canon Thomas Gavin, the Coventry Priest who organised the event.
It was an incredible day. From the early hours of the morning of 29 May 1982, 350,000 people began to congregate at Coventry Airfield to await the first ever visit of a reigning Pope to the UK.
Enjoying, and joining in, with the excitement of those crowds was Monsignor Canon Thomas Gavin of St Thomas Moore's RC Church of Coventry.
Monsignor Gavin was one of the main organisers of Pope John Paul II's visit to the city and although he had to put a lot of work in, he enjoyed the day greatly and has a host of special memories about the visit.
The visit took two years to organise, said the former Irish international rugby international, who began the organisation just weeks after his arrival at the Stivichall parish.
The Pope leads the Pentecost prayers
The first thing, said Monsigner Gavin, that had to be organised was the identification of a venue - and given the scale of the event, it was a tricky task. The NEC and National Agricultural Centre at Stoneleigh had been ruled out, Monsignor Gavin took his inspiration from the air!
"We were cruising back and I saw this aeroplane starting to come down overhead and I had this inspiration and I came out here, out to Baginton, and found about 400 acres and I thought 'Just the spot!'," he said.
Of course, with 350,000 people comes an awful lot of coaches and cars but that problem was overcome when the A46 was identified as the car and coach park!
There also had to be two hospitals on site and a prison, although only one person used the prison and Monsignor Gavin said he was "tight before he got there!".
Eventually, it was the night before and Monsignor Gavin met his parishioners at the Knoll Drive church and experienced, he said, something he had never felt before.
The Pope smiles on his arrival
"The church was packed and it's a big church, it can accommodate almost 1,000 people," he said.
"Everybody there was ready for a journey, they had knapsacks on their backs, and there was a terrific air of excitement . We all had candles and we all set out on the walk to Bagington.
"It was one of the happiest nights I can remember."
One of Monsignor Gavin's most abiding memories of the trip, though, was of the thirst of the Pope after he had given an address to the massive crowd on what was a very warm May day.
The Pope drove over to buildings on the aerodrome after his service in the Pope Mobile to enjoy a lunch with Bishops and dignitaries, prepared by chefs from the Cafe Royal.
"The Pope said he wanted a drink and they tried him on sherry but he wasn't very interested in sherry and gin and tonic was out!
Waves from the Popemobile
"Anyway, the night before the Polish chef came along to me and said 'I've got some Polish beer, do you think the Pope would drink it?' and I said 'let's try him, shall we?'.
"So after the mass the Pope went in to rest for a bit....and I went in and there he was in the armchair and I said, 'Your Holiness, the Bishops would like to talk to you', and he said 'People, people!' but he still got out of the chair straight away and went out but he was still looking for his drink.
"There at the back of the room was the chef holding up this pint of Polish beer...he came through, put it in front of the Pope and he said 'Polish beer, your holiness'.
"So the Pope took the glass, sniffed it, and put it down in one!"
A Cotton War Hero
Norman Claud Hatch was born on the 29th September 1886, the fifth child and third son of Thomas and Marie Hatch.
He was delivered at the family home at 7, Weld Road, Birkdale, Southport. Thomas’ profession is given as a ship owner on Norman’s birth certificate, and as a ship broker agent at the time of the 1891 Census, by which time the family had moved the short distance to Heathfield, 19, Weld Road. Certainly, Heathfield must be a very large property, because 17 people are given for that address in the 1891 Census, including Thomas and Marie. A further daughter had been born to the Hatches the year after Norman’s birth, added to which are Thomas’ four stepchildren, presumably from a previous marriage of Marie’s, plus no less than five servants. It seems safe to assume that Thomas was a successful and wealthy businessman, not least because Norman had a private education, attending boarding school at the Birmingham Oratory, then finishing his education in Switzerland.
Norman’s education led to him becoming a solicitor, and he was admitted to the Rolls in July 1911. He took up employment at County Hall as Assistant Solicitor / Clerk to the Lancashire Insurance Committee. He was also a talented tennis player, and was described in a local newspaper as being probably the best singles player at Southport Lawn Tennis Club. In fact, at the outbreak of war in 1914, Norman was the joint holder of the Club’s singles championship, being unable to play his final due to him and his opponent both enlisting for armed service. In 1913 and 1914, Norman regularly represented his county of Lancashire in North Country tournaments.
Shortly after the outbreak of war, Norman, by then aged 27, enlisted in Scarborough on the 29th August 1914 for three year’s service as a Private in the 13th Reserve Cavalry, known as " the Yorkshire Hussars ". His description on enlistment says that Norman was six feet one and a half inches tall, weighed 149 lbs, had a ruddy complexion, with blue eyes and red hair. Evidently, Norman did not serve with the Cavalry for very long, as, less than a month later, he applied for a transfer to the rank of a Private in the 10th ( Service ) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers; part of Kitchener’s ‘ New Army ‘. His reason given for seeking a transfer is that he wished to serve with relations in this Battalion. His request was granted, and he joined his new Battalion on the 7th October 1914. The Battalion joined the British Expeditionary Force in France & Flanders on the 30th July 1915, and Norman served at the front with the Battalion for seven months.
Given his upbringing and education, and his satisfactory service in the ranks, Norman was obvious officer material, and so, in March 1916, he left his Battalion and returned home for training as an officer. On the 6th July 1916, he was temporarily commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion of The Prince of Wales’ Volunteers ( South Lancashire Regiment ). The 3rd Battalion remained in Britain throughout the war, and Norman was part of a Special Reserve of Officers attached to the Battalion who were waiting to be posted to units serving overseas. In September 1916, Norman was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment serving in France, sailing from Southampton to Rouen on 18th September 1916, never to return home again.
The Battle of the Somme had been raging in Northern France since the 1st July 1916, and despite the horrific losses sustained by the Allies since the start of the Battle, by September 1916, much of the territory which was supposed to have been taken on the first day remained in German hands. The defences constructed by the Germans were a formidable obstacle for the Allies to overcome, and included miniature forts, known as redoubts, which had clear all-round vision of any advance from the Allies. One such redoubt, situated just outside the village of Thiepval, was known as the Stuff Redoubt, and it was here that Norman found himself on the 21st October 1916. He had joined the 2nd Battalion at the front on 26 September, and the unit moved into the Stuff Redoubt on the 19th October 1916. Norman was in command of ‘D’ Company of the Battalion, and, on October 21st, he was part of a bombing party attacking a German held crest of land west of the Redoubt and the Regina trench. The story has it that Norman insisted on taking the place of a married man with a family in the party, on the grounds that he, as a bachelor, should take the exceptional risks involved. The Battalion War Diary records this operation as follows :-
" Very fine day – cold wind. In connection with the operations to take place today, our artillery opened a barrage at 12.06 p.m. to which the Germans replied about six minutes later. The Battalion moved forward at once under our barrage, ‘D’ Company in support under 2nd Lieutenant Hatch. During the day the following further casualties were sustained – killed : 2nd Lieutenant Norman Claud Hatch and 27 other ranks. Enemy trenches successfully occupied "
Norman’s family received the dreaded telegram from the War Office on the 26th October 1916 informing them that he had been killed in action. He was 30 at the time of his death. His body was recovered from the battlefield, and was initially buried in Chalk Pit British Cemetery near to where he fell. Subsequently, his body was moved to Quarry Cemetery a short distance away, and then, finally, after the war ended, he was re-buried in the Pozieres British Cemetery, in one of 2,733 Allied graves in the Cemetery. The Cemetery is enclosed by walls made up of panels naming 14,644 British and South African soldiers who died fighting on the Somme in 1918, and who have no known grave. One name on the panels is that of Second Lieutenant Christopher Pomfret of the East Lancashire Regiment, who was employed prior to the war in the County Treasurer’s Department of the County Council, and who was killed in action in March 1918. It would be interesting to learn whether Norman and Christopher knew each other from their days at County Hall.
News of Norman’s death was published in the Southport Visiter on the 28th October 1916, and a further article in the same newspaper on the 31st October 1916 highlighted Norman’s loss to his Club and County tennis sides. Mr. J.T. Travis Clegg, the chairman of the Lancashire Insurance Committee, supported a vote of condolence being sent to Norman’s relatives, and told of how Norman’s gallant act of taking the married man’s place in the bombing party had led to him losing his own life. Norman’s personal effects were eventually returned to his father; by now, a director of the shipping brokers, Japp Hatch & Company Limited of Castle Street, Liverpool, of which Norman’s elder brother, Oliver, was also a director.
The grave of Norman Claud Hatch – Pozieres Military Cemetery
Norman is commemorated on the Great War memorial on Lord Street, Southport, and, of course, on the memorial in County Hall, Preston. His name appears in the Book of Remembrance at the South Lancashire Regimental Chapel at Warrington Parish Church. A book entitled ‘ Southport’s Splendid Hearts ‘ has recently been published telling the stories of Southport’s men and women who died in the Great War, and includes Norman’s story. His selfless act of placing himself in danger so that a married man with a family need not, means that Norman Claud Hatch truly had a ‘splendid heart’.
By Peter Hale. Thanks to Peter for sharing this information.
A Cotton Saint
Fr. Charles Houban , a Dutch National born in Munstergeleen, came to England in 1851. He was already a Priest & a Passionist by the time he reached Cotton , having joined the Passionists in Ere , Belgium. He lived at Aston till 1854 and lived at Cotton from 1854 until 1856 , first as Vice-Master of Novices and then as Parish Priest. The rest of his life he spent at Mount Argus , Dublin , Ireland. He was noted more for his apostolate of blessing and hearing confessions than for his preaching. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 16th October 1988. A number of miracles of healing were ascribed to him. After his death , which occured on 5th January 1893 ( he died of an infected wound to his leg following a carriage accident , Catholics & Non-Catholics alike mourning his passing) , a letter was received at Cotton College requesting any information concerning him whilst at Cotton , which might be of interest or importance. By 1940 , his sanctity was under examination at Rome. He was Canonised on 3 June 2007 by Pope Benedict.
CHARLES of Mount Argus
Also known as Charles Houban; Charles Houben; Charles of Mount Argus Houben; Charles of Saint Andrew; Joannes Andreas Houben; Karel Houben; Karel of Mount Argus; Saint of Mount Argus
Memorial -5 January Profile - Fourth of eleven children born to Peter Joseph and Elizabeth Jane Houban. Made his first Communion at age 13. Studied at Sittard; he was a slow learner, but a very dedicated student. Enlisted in the military in 1840, and served five years. After the military, he worked briefly in his uncle's mill. Joined the Passionists at Ere, Belgium on 5 November 1845, taking the name Charles of Saint Andrew. Ordained on 21 December 1850. Assigned to England in 1852. Transferred on 6 July 1857 to a retreat house in an area near Dublin, Ireland called Mount Argus. Except for a brief trip to England in 1866, he spent the rest of his remaining 36 years there. He invigorated the area faithful, and was a noted healer. When word of his holiness spread, carriages came to fetch him to the bed side of the sick, and he daily received mounds of mail with prayer requests. The whole city, including non-Catholics, recognized his holiness and mourned his passing.
Born -11 December 1821 in Munstergeleen, Limburg, Holland as Joannes Andreas Houben Died - 5 January 1893 at Mount Argus, Ireland from an infected leg wound received in a carriage accident; buried at Mount Argus, Dublin, Ireland
Beatified -16 October 1988 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized - 3 June 2007
Readings Most Holy Virgin Mary Oh, my Mother! How sweet it is to come to thy feet, imploring thy perpetual help! If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children, how canst thou, the most loving of all mothers, forget me? Grant then, to me, I implore thee, thy perpetual help in all my necessities, in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations. As we are all thy children, I ask for thy unceasing help for all who are now suffering. Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners, and console all earthly mothers who are now weeping over their children. Open the gates of heaven to those we loved upon earth and who are now suffering in purgatory. Obtain for us, dear Mother,that having earnestly invoked thee on earth, we may see thee, love thee, and eternally thank thee hereafter in heaven. Amen. Mother of Holy Hope, pray for us.
-prayer of Blessed Charles to Our Lady, Mother of Holy Hope
A Cotton Soccer Star
Frank Roberts wrote his obit for The Cottonian , 1976.
ALBERT JOHN WHITEHURST (1911-15)
When I first came to Cotton as a boy, we heard much talk of Albert Whitehurst's prowess as a footballer. He was born in Cheadle on 22nd June, 1898, and was the last of three, or possibly four, of the Whitehurst family to come to the School, the first having arrived in 1876. He died on 26th February this year.
'The Cheadle and Tean Times', under the heading of 'Striker who had a lethal right foot', gave details of his footballing career in various Divisions of the League. He had played for Bradford City, Stoke City, Liverpool, Rochdale and finally Tranmere Rovers. His most successful season was the one in which he scored 44 goals for Rochdale (out of a total of 105), both totals being records for the club. When he retired in 1934 he had made 314 League appearances in which he had scored more than 180 times. I have been told that in one match for Tranmere he scored seven times.
When he retired he went to live at Kingsley, but later returned to Cheadle, where he died. He had long been a legend for me and many other Cottonians of the 1920's and 30's, and he was a legend come to life when I met him and members of his family towards the end of 1975 at the 'Star Inn' at Cotton. He was very modest about his sporting activities and achievements (he had also been a well-known cricketer in North Staffordshire circles) and was very pleased to know that people at Cotton, both at the College and in the village, had not forgotten him. .So it was very sad to hear that he had died so soon after.
...................................................................... Albert Whitehurst at the opening of the Kop , Anfield.
The Kop, the most famous terrace in the world was opened in a special ceremony some 35 years before it became a household name. It meant a welcome relief for the supporters who had often been exposed to a biting wind on the original structure. The first Kop was built in 1906, but by the mid 1920s the board realised that only the poorest or most hardened supporter would stand there in the depths of winter. So they decided to build a roof and replace the old cinder terraces with concrete steps. The work was done during the close season of 1928 and provided cover for 28,000 spectators, who were now stood under the largest single span roof structure in the UK. Football League President John McKenna, who had been instrumental in the foundation of Liverpool FC, was invited to perform the opening ceremony, where he unfurled a special flag on the pitch fifteen minutes before kickoff. When the game began it took just 50 seconds for us to find the net, Albert Millar heading in Dick Edmed’s corner. Millar added another in the second half and Albert Whitehurst also scored in a 3-0 victory against Bury.
The Old Cottonian on the RMS Titanic
HUGH WALTER McELROY with Family
Ref page 174 A HISTORY OF SEDGLEY PARK AND COTTON COLLEGE by Frank Roberts
...Sad news was received later in the month (January 1912) when it became known that Hugh McElroy , who had been at the school from 1885-1888 and was Commodore Purser of the White Star Line and chief purser of the Titanic had been drowned when the ship sank....
That is the only reference I can find of him at Cotton. The Reference below is from the Internet Encyclopedia Titanica. ............................................
Hugh Walter McElroy Courtesy of Frank McElroy
Mr Hugh Walter McElroy He was born on Wednesday 28th October 1874
When the Titanic sank Hugh Walter McElroy was aged 37 years
He was married.
His last residence was in Southampton Hampshire England
Occupation: Purser
He signed-on to the Titanic Victualling crew at Southampton
McElroy died in the sinking. His body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett (No. 157) and was buried at Sea on Wednesday 24th April 1912.
Sponsors
Cotton's Beauty Queen
Cotton's Beauty Queen
Miss Pauline Yeung attended Cotton College from 1984 - 1986. In 1987 Miss Yeung was crowned Miss Hong Kong and went on to place 4th in Miss World. She also placed 5th in Miss Universe and also became Miss Asia.
Below is a Television link to her coronation as Miss HK 1987. BTW , Pauline was kind enough to sign the website guestbook.
Old Cottonian Dr Cyril Unsworth fought the Westhoughton Bye Election of 1973 for the Conservatives.
Roger Scott - Labour - 26,294
Dr. Cyril Unsworth - Conservative - 19,511
Brian O'Hara - Democratic Socialist - 335
Majority - 6,783
Labour Hold
The Unsworth Practice Group in Westhoughton is named after the Unsworth family and was founded in Blackrod Village by Dr James Unsworth in 1889. He was joined by his son Leo and was later taken over by his grandsons James and Cyril. By then the practice expanded to include Westhoughton.
Today there are 11 doctors, 3 Nurse Practitioners, 5 Practice Nurses, 1 Phlebotomist, 1 Trainee Assistant Practitioner, 1 Nurse Assistant and 28 other members of staff. But no Unsworths.
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Old Boy Paul Baptie fought the Skipton & Ripon Election for Labour in 2005
David Curry - Conservative 25,100 (49.68%, -2.71%) Paul English - Lib Dem 13,480 (26.68%, +0.61%) Paul Baptie - Labour 9,393 (18.59%, +1.20%) Ian Bannister - UKIP 2,274 (4.50%, +0.35%) Robert Leakey - Currency 274 (0.54%)
