These are the history pieces which appeared in the Batley St. Mary of the Angels and Birstall St. Patrick’s bulletin during March 2026. As the parishes are jointly administered and a single bulletin produced, the history pieces are not solely focused on St. Mary of the Angels, although St. Patrick’s was not formed as a separate parish until 1905. Prior to that it was part of St. Mary’s.
As part of the St. Mary of the Angels One-Place Study I have written in more detail about some of these events, and where this is the case the link to the fuller piece is included.
07/08 March 2026
In March 1941, 12-year-old St. Mary’s schoolboy Joseph Mennell was in the news for an amazing achievement. The son of Edward and Agnes Mennell, the St. Mary’s pupil had attended school for over eight years without a break. Additionally, he had never missed Sunday morning mass, and had only one absence from Benediction. A keen sportsman, this year he had already gained three swimming certificates, and one for life-saving. He was a self-taught accordion player too
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
14/15 March 2026
In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, on 18 and 19 March 1901, pupils and teachers of St. Mary’s infants and senior schools held their annual concert to raise money for school funds. Miss L. Mullins sang “Come Back to Erin”, Miss Donnelly “Farewell to the Fatherland” and Miss Brennan “The Shamrock.” The sketch “Crazy Jane” was performed by Miss Brennan, Miss Ginane, Miss Fitzpatrick, Miss Power, Miss Matthews, Miss Donnelly, Miss Scanlon and Miss M. A. Lynch. A charade entitled “Little Pickle” was performed by Joseph Mullins, James Cox, Richard Kelley, Thomas Scanlon, Willie Berry, Robert Mullins, John Hudson and James Munns. The Kazoo band appeared to much amusement. There were large audiences, especially on the first night. For more details about this event click here.
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
21/22 March 2026
On 25 and 26 March 1950, the children of St. Patrick’s performed the pantomime Puss in Boots, with the Mayor and Mayoress, Alderman and Mrs. Farrar Hill, as well as members of the Council and Education Authority, in the Sunday evening audience. Most of the school took part. Amongst the performers were Donald Sykes as King Upsetemall, Eileen Carroll was the Fairy Queen Sunshine, Christine Morris was Princess Maud, Noreen Wall played Wilo’ the Wisp, Margaret McVeigh was Prince Leonard, Joseph Sheridan the cat, Moira Phillips the dame, Neil Judge was a messenger, Margaret Swallow Princess Rosalie, and Maureen Gibson played Jill to Kathleen Oram’s Jack. Amongst the teddy bears were Donald Higgins, Eileen Costello, Ann Colman and Malcolm Moran. The mice were Judy Casey, Mary Harrison and Winifred Birbeck. The imps included Kevin Prendergast, Bernard Lynch and Terry and Tony Armitage. The witches were Sheila Crabtree, Mary and Margaret Harrop. Six-year-old Brian Doyle continually brought the house down with his solos. Mr. E. Costello was in charge of the lights, and Mrs. V. Hird the pianist.
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
28/29 March 2026
On Sunday evening, 03 April 1910, St. Patrick’s church was packed out as Rev. Father Hickey, of New Wortley, Leeds, dedicated a new pulpit which had recently fixed in the church.
Jane Roberts – Parish Historian, Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk
Past To Present Genealogy 