These are the history pieces which appeared in the Batley St Mary of the Angels and Birstall St Patrick’s bulletin during June 2024. As the parishes are jointly administered and a single bulletin produced, the history pieces are not solely focused on St Mary of the Angels.
1/2 June 2024
On Whit Tuesday 1876 (6 June) 1,000 Batley and Birstall Catholic residents, school children and teachers, holding many beautiful banners and accompanied by Batley and Birstall brass bands, processed from St Mary’s church to the junction of Low Lane and Bradford Road, Birstall. Here, the Bishop of Beverley laid the foundation stone for a new Catholic school in Birstall. The architect was Mr. Simpson of Bradford, and the estimated cost for the new building was £700. Parish priest Rev. Canon Gordon said this was only the beginning, and in a little time he hoped they would also have a grand church in Birstall (at this point St Mary’s church served both Batley and Birstall Catholic communities). Afterwards, tea was provided in the Birstall Drill Hall, and evening dancing, sports and entertainments were held in the field behind the Swan Inn.
8/9 June 2024
On 7 June 1940 Private James Lloyd, 6th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, of New Street, Batley, became the first St Mary’s Catholic to fall during World War Two. He died as a result of wounds received whilst on sentry duty during a Luftwaffe air raid over England. Fr McBride announced his death at 9 June Sunday Benediction. On 11 June over 200 people attended his burial in Batley Cemetery, with the service conducted by Fr O’Mahoney. He left a widow and five children.
15/16 June 2024
It was recorded that in the week leading to 11 June 1921 one hundred elementary school children in Batley were supplied with meals at school under the Provision of Meals Act. This allowed Local Education Authorities to provide free school meals for those in greatest financial need. This figure compared with 36 fed the previous week. About half of the hundred children in receipt of a free meal attended St Mary’s Schools.
22/23 June 2024
On 26 June 1926 the newspaper gave an account of the St Patrick’s garden party and gala, held at the old Celtic Football Field the previous Saturday. Over 100 had tea in a specially erected marquee, and after tea attendance was estimated to be between 400 and 500. The girls and boys put on dancing and gymnastic displays, and children’s sports were held. Prize winners including Misses A. Conway and N. Hinchliffe and Masters S. Purcell and B. Convey in the 40 yards flat race for under 7s; the 60 yards flat prize winners for those under 10 were Misses A. Henry and F. Lyons, and Masters A. Brennan and V. Purcell; and the 80 yards flat prize winners (under 14s) were Misses A. Morris and K. Bloomfield and Masters J. Frain and A. Blanchfield. In the evening there were sports and games for the adults, and dancing to St Patrick’s Orchestra.
29/30 June 2024
On Monday 29 June 1925 the St Mary’s choir had a day out in Bridlington. Messrs. Edwin Box of Dewsbury provided the motor coach for the trip, there was a stop-off at York Minster, and lunch was taken at Bridlington’s Britannia Hotel. This was the first excursion made by the recently resuscitated mixed choir, which had made excellent progress under the tuition of curate, Fr O’Meara. Leo Berry thanked Fr O’Meara for his devotion to the choir and for organising the day out, and organist Miss Lucy Scanlon endorsed this.
Past To Present Genealogy 