Convent school reunion is still as popular as ever

Winckley Square Convent....year nine group of 1970/71
Catheirne Pascucci( nee Callagher) to sent it in, is second from the left on the second row and her twin sister Helen Forbes is second left on the top back row — Winckley Square Convent....year nine group of 1970/71 Catheirne Pascucci( nee Callagher) to sent it in, is second from the left on the second row and her twin sister Helen Forbes is second left on the top back row

The annual reunion of former pupils and staff- from Preston’s Winckley Square Convent is becoming more popular as the years go by - with nearly 100 turning up from all over the country- and further afield, last year.

This year’s event, planned for Saturday February 25th, will be held at Our Lady and St Edward’s Parish Hall in Fulwood, is hoping to surpass that.

The reunion was organised for many years by Joyce Allen but about seven years ago she asked Gwen Hibbert to take over.

The site of the formerWinckley Convent Grammar School has long sicec been sold

Gwen said: “The Annual Reunion is open to all former Staff and Pupils not just any particular year.”

She added: “Wonderfully the numbers attending seem to have increased over time, around 97 last year.

“Once I have instigated this ( publicity) it all comes together really easily.

“We pass around a collection bag during the afternoon and the money collected pays for the hire of the hall and usually allows us to support two different charities a year with a donation.”

The event is something many people look forward to.

Gwen says: “It is very easy going in that a small group of us set up the hall with tables and chairs, brews on the go and a selection of cakes which various people kindly bring and away we go.

“The chat is like Babel. “There is lots of laughter and catching up and real joy.”

Gwen, now a grandmother to 11, adds that the school is still held in high regard event though it ceased to exist for nearly 40 years.

The school merged with Preston Catholic College and the former Lark Hill Convent in 1978 to form what is now Cardinal Newman College - still situated on the Lark Hill site.

She says: “When we are chatting at the reunion I never seem to hear anyone saying that they were unhappy at Winckley though it was very strict and we did have a couple of hours homework to do every night.”

The reunion is taking place from 1pm until 4pm at Our Lady and St Edward’s Parish Centre in Marlborough Drive, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9UE.