Wanted: old school photos from top Lancashire college

It was originally built as the private residence of one of Prestons most successful cotton manufacturers, Samuel Horrocks, who went on to become mayor.

And to help build up a full picture of years gone by, Cardinal Newman College is calling for anyone with close links to it, to share pictures and stories.

Three performances that tell a story of the college through song, dance and narrative will be staged at Preston Guild Hall & Charter Theatre next March.

“The performing arts students will be working very hard in rehearsals and it promises to be a real spectacular with dance numbers and songs from across the four decades,” said head of performing arts Colette Kerwin.

Although it was established in 1978, Cardinal Newman Colleges Lark Hill campus has an educational history going back much further.

“Taking inspiration from interviews and material provided by ex-students and staff, the show delves into the lives, loves, trials and tribulations of an imaginary first cohort to come to the newly-minted Cardinal Newman College.”

Although it was established in 1978, Cardinal Newman College’s Lark Hill campus has an educational history going back much further.

It was originally built as the private residence of one of Preston’s most successful cotton manufacturers, Samuel Horrocks, who went on to become mayor.

It was sold for £4525 to St Augustine’s Church following his death in 1860, with plans that it should be used as a parish school for the poor. A year later, a day school run by the Sisters of the Faithful Companions of Jesus was established.

Cardinal Newman College is Preston is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a series of performances inspired by staff and students real-life memories.

The building was extended with St Wilfrid’s in 1893 to create two classrooms, five music rooms and the chapel.

The site became the Lark Hill Convent Grammar School for Girls in 1919 and in 1967 it began taking sixth-form students for the first time.

Cardinal Newman College was then established in 1978, formed by the merging of Lark Hill, Winckley Square Convent School and Preston Catholic College.

Since then the college has gone from strength to strength. In 1986, the St Mary’s Building was added to house science and technologies at a cost of £750,000.

St Cecilia’s was added in 2009 to create new classrooms and state of the art computer and music facilities, then in 2010 the St Augustine building was renovated and refurbished.

The latest new building, St Francis, became home to maths, sociology and a coffee shop in 2015, while this year saw the unveiling of a new student entrance to St Wilfrid’s.

Cardinal Newman College Principal, Nick Burnham, said: “We are proud to be celebrating 40 years as Cardinal Newman College this academic year.

“We have a long and successful history, spanning more than 150 years, of education at our beautiful Lark Hill campus.

“We are proud to be a Catholic College for the whole community, serving students from across Lancashire, providing them with an outstanding post-16 education.”

The 40th anniversary celebration performances will be held at the Preston Guild Hall & Charter Theatre, on March 6, 7 and 8, 2019.

Do you have a story to share with the college about your time there? Call 01772 460181 or email Amy Sigley on [email protected].

Cardinal Newman College, Preston, is the top performing sixth-form college for value added nationally.

Its small and unique campus welcomes students of all faiths and has a true-community feel.

The college offers a range of A Level, Level 3 courses and Level 2 BTEC courses.

Find out more about how to become a Cardinal Newman College student by emailing [email protected].