Rivington and Blackrod High School celebrates amazing achievement

On Friday, the school will mark this special event — it began life as Rivington Grammar School — with a series of high-profile celebratory events in the coming months.

A major factor in the planning of these events (and several pupil-based activities which have preceded them) has been the outcome of a Heritage Lottery Fund application, submitted by members of the school staff with the provision of substantial funding for the multi-faceted commemorative project.

As local historian David Kaye explains "local stories spanning four and a half centuries don’t come along every day, so we must make an attempt to give a flavour of a most eventful saga, and also to highlight the fact that, for any reader wishing to know more, there is a plethora of fascinating material available".

The roots and branches of this epic tale are inextricably-tangled with some of the most iconic events in Britain’s history, including the 11th century Norman Conquest and the 16th century Reformation, says David.

In the wake of the former, many powerful and influential family dynasties emerged, and one such in Lancashire was that of the Pilkingtons, he continues.

Although originating in the Bury area, a branch of the family was destined to become Lords of the Manor of Rivington from the 12th century.

"Our spotlight turns initially, and briefly, to Richard Pilkington, the "squire" at Rivington Hall from 1508 to 1551 (to whom we are indebted for the legacy of the lovely Rivington Church), and then to James, third son of Richard (and one of 12 children) born at Rivington Hall in c1520. Whilst studying at St John’s College, Cambridge, and in the wake of the fear, chaos and confusion created by Henry VIII’s spat with Pope Clement VII, James became imbued with a most fervent strain of Protestantism, and developed a reputation as a high-profile anti-papist preacher.

"Following the death of Henry in 1547, the sickly youth Edward VI reigned until 1553, after which Henry’s daughter Mary I assumed the throne.

"Mary’s cruel crusade to restore Catholicism in England led to the tyranny of the Marian Persecutions, and not wishing to be added to the increasing list of prominent protestants burnt alive, James Pilkington fled to Europe, where he remained in exile from 1554 to 1559," says David.

After Mary’s premature death, and Elizabeth ascending the throne in 1558, James returned to England —and safety — where he was soon to become a favourite of Good Queen Bess, who had experienced and admired his Protestant preachings, David explains.

He rose rapidly through the hierarchy of the restored Anglican Church, eventually being ordained as the first Protestant Bishop of Durham in 1561. As one of the so-called "Prince Bishops", he assumed great power – and accumulated considerable wealth – presiding over the largely lawless lands of 16th century north-east England.

One manifestation of that power, and influence with his monarch, was to have an enduring impact on the history of the tiny village of the bishop’s birth, when, on May 13, 1566, Queen Elizabeth I added her seal of assent to the Charter of Foundation of "a free Grammar School for the faithful people inhabiting the village or hamlet of Rovington", so beginning a truly remarkable story.

"While around 150 extant English schools can boast an earlier foundation date than Rivington, a significant number of these cannot claim, as Rivington can, to have a totally unbroken history . "So, when considering English educational establishments with continuous histories, Rivington makes a leap of about 25 places up what we might term ‘the league table of longevity’," says David.

Our local school’s history predates that of many of the most renowned English public schools, particularly notable amongst these ‘junior seats of learning’ being Harrow, Rugby, Charterhouse, Whitgift, Uppingham and Stonyhurst, with only seven older schools in the County Palatine - at least as it was, before the ‘boundary blurrings‘ of Lancashire in the 1970s.

Of the resultant 125 or so English schools with longer ‘pedigrees‘ than Rivington, no less than 75 were established during the first six decades of the 16th century, and are therefore little older than our local establishment. (Remarkably, no less than 57 new grammar schools were established during the 45 years Elizabeth was on the throne, 10 of which carry her name to this day.)

For further details of the Rivi 450 project, and the associated celebratory events, visit the school’s website: www.rbhs.co.uk. Click on ‘News and Calendar‘, which leads to the Rivi 450 webpage, and all the relevant details.

The highlights include a Gala Dinner at the Macron Stadium on Saturday 14th May, and a Celebratory Service (conducted by the Bishop of Durham) at Rivington Parish Church on Sunday, 22nd May.

And Horwich Heritage will be playing its part too, staging an Open Day on Saturday, May 14 (10am to 1pm), with elements of the school archives forming the basis of an exhibition, which will then transfer to school, where it can be viewed by the general public on Thursday, June 9.

In addition to the celebratory service planned by the school at Rivington Parish Church on Sunday, May 22 the former pupils' organisation is staging a 'Songs of Praise'-style event in the school's own lovely Victorian Chapel, commencing at 2pm on Sunday, May 15.

Entitled 'Songs and Soliloquies of Celebration', the event will have a unique format, comprising a narrative relating to the school's long history (spoken by Association president Cliff Hilton), which will be punctuated by seven all-time favourite hymns, and readings (by nine different former Association presidents) of poetry, prose and prayer from an eclectic range of sources, including the Bible, Charles Dickens, Nelson Mandela and Rudyard Kipling. All are welcome to attend the service, but anyone wishing to participate in the subsequent 'Celebratory Cream Tea' in the school should make a reservation on 01204 696984.

See next week's Looking Back for more on the fascinating history of Rivington and Blackrod High School.