North West Region visits Stonyhurst College

Management Services, Autumn 2006

Members and guests met at Stonyhurst College on 23 July for a conducted tour of this Grade I listed building, with its breathtaking scenery.

Our party was fortunate to have Liz Waddington as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. She outlined the history of the College (circa 1593) to its present usage as a school for fee paying boys and girls - both day and boarding pupils.

Our group was able to observe how present day students live, work and play. The chapels and historic rooms created great interest, in particular the Great Hall, with its portraits of seven former pupils awarded the Victoria Cross. Also seen was the table on which Oliver Cromwell was reputed to have slept on the night before the Battle of Preston (circa 1648).

We also had the opportunity to view a very fine museum room containing many uniforms and photographs of former students such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

This was an extremely enjoyable afternoon and certainly to be recommended.

After many questions the tour came to an end with a vote of thanks proposed by Bob Fletcher to Liz and seconded by our Chairman Len Price.