Educating For The Future.

Bolton School (Boys Division) Junior School 1965.

Education is an important part of any child's development, and parents who take sufficient interest in their children's education will often be rewarded by the satisfaction of bringing up well balanced adults that are able to cope with whatever the world has to offer them and to use every opportunity to their best advantage.

The Brookes side of the family often favoured Manchester Grammar School as the place for their children's education, although Gorden Byron Brookes attended William Hulme's Grammar School, and this year being the centenary of the start of World War 1, he features on their website on the page dedicated to Old Hulmeians who were killed in action in that conflict.

Our side of the family favoured Bolton School, an independent day school located on Chorley New Road, Bolton. That too celebrates anniversaries during 2015 / 2016. 2015 is the anniversary of the founding of the present school as a result of the generous donation by Lord Leverhulme. Then there is the 500 year celebration to mark the founding of the school itself. This is the page on the school website that will provide information on these events - 100 / 500 Celebrations.

My two brothers both attended Bolton School, as did two of my uncles, two of my cousins, and my own daughter. My own attendance was between 1961 and 1970, although I left at the age of 16. Personally I didn't enjoy school and couldn't wait to get out and start work! Above is the section of the above image that depicts me at the age of 11yrs. I am stood 4th pupil to the left of the teachers group as you view the photograph, with the "mop top" hair cut. Well it was 1965 in the midst of "Beatle mania"!

A Letter From Warwick Brookes The Artist

Contained within the April 1st 1871 edition of The Manchester Guardian is an article as follows:

Honours To A Manchester Artist, - We have repeatedly alluded with great pleasure to the beautiful drawings in pencil and pen and ink by Mr. Warwick Brookes of this City, of single figures and groups of children. They have been seen at various local exhibitions. Recently Mr. Gladstone saw some of these drawings at the residence of Sir Walter James, and borrowed them to show to the Princess Louise. The Princess, who is known to be an accomplished amateur artist, showed them to the Queen, who expressed a desire to purchase some of Mr. Brookes's drawings. Her Majesty has selected four, and characterized them as 'really charming'. The Queen has also without solicitation, directed that Mr. Warwick Brookes's name should be added to the Civil List for the amount of £100 per annum. Portfolios of photographs from his sketches have also been purchased for The Royal Academy and for The South Kensington Museum. We are glad that our able and modest fellow-citizen is being thus appreciated.

I have recently been lucky enough to find and acquire from a London dealer, an original letter from Warwick Brookes, artist, dated 8th April 1871. The letter is written by Brookes in the third person to one Miss Ida Rawlins, (who it appears had written to Brookes to request his autograph). Brookes explains that he is not the only Warwick Brookes in the district, but he has a nephew, also Warwick Brookes who is a photographer, but not much good at art. I can only imagine that Ida Rawlins had read the Manchester Guardian article on the 1st April, and as a result, had written to Brookes asking for his autograph, causing Brookes to reply on the 8th.

Funny how history comes together isn't it.