Archive Highlights

Prayer Book of St Walburge’s Boys’ Guild, Preston

Green booklet cover with cross motif, titled "Prayer Book of St. Walburge's Boys' Guild, Preston."

General Rules, Y.W.G. Guild Booklet (pages 4–5)

Printed pages listing General Rules 4–14 of the Guild, covering devotion, conduct, obedience, and behaviour expected of members.

Rules Booklet, “Y.W.G.”

Maroon leather-bound guild booklet cover embossed in gold with "Rules Y.W.G."

Large Group Photograph, St Walburge’s

A large group of young women and girls, arranged in four rows, gather in front of a stone church wall with a pointed arch window.

Rules of St Walburge’s Girls’ Christian Doctrine Confraternity

1934

Blue booklet cover with decorative border, titled "Rules of St. Walburge's Girls' Christian Doctrine Confraternity," dated 1934.

Annunciation Scene

A scene of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel offering lilies, staged outside a church on a platform inscribed "Ave Maria."

Uniformed Group Beside Bus

Women in dark military-style uniforms and peaked side caps, with others in lighter shirts and jackets, stand in rows beside a bus outside a brick building. Male driver at right.

Uniformed Girls Marching Through Preston

Long ranks of girls in uniform march down a Preston street past a police officer, spectators and salutes from the front row, a double-decker bus visible ahead.

Girls Marching in the Church Grounds

Girls in uniform with ties and forage caps march in rows past a stone building within the church grounds.

Girls in Uniform Group Photograph

Nine girls in tunic uniforms and forage caps gather in two rows before a brick wall for a group photograph.

Girls Standing in Formation, Street Parade

Girls in uniform, some with peaked forage caps, stand in a long line along a residential street.

Girls Standing in Formation, Drill Practice

Girls in uniform stand in ranks outside a terraced building, one with arm extended as if directing drill positions.

Girls Marching in the Church Grounds

A long line of girls in uniform, some in tunics and berets, marches arm in arm past a stone building within the church grounds.

Girls Marching in Uniform Along a Terraced Street

A long line of girls in matching berets, ties and dark skirts marches arm in arm along a residential street lined with terraced houses.

Maypole Dance in Bonnets and Aprons

Girls in matching bonnets, aprons and dresses hold ribbons around a maypole in a field, framed by trees.

Girls’ Club Meeting, Fr Shaw Leaving

1956

A large group of girls and young women gathers outside the church for a photograph, captioned "Girl's Club Meeting – 1956 – Fr Shaw Leaving the Parish."

School Managers’ Minutes, 1940–1941

Handwritten minutes recording air-raid shelter arrangements, teacher transfers and wartime pupil numbers across the school departments.

School Managers’ Minutes, 1920–1921

Handwritten minutes of meetings held at St Walburge's Presbytery, recording tender decisions for painting the Infant School and new teacher appointments.

Confraternity Membership Register, Page 39

Handwritten register listing members' names, occupations and Talbot School as former school, added between 1940 and the early 1950s.

Confraternity Membership Register, Page 14

Handwritten register listing members' names, birth dates, occupations, addresses and former schools, admitted between 1936 and 1939.

Confraternity Membership Register, Page 2

Handwritten register listing members' names, birth dates, occupations and former schools, admitted between 1934 and 1936.

Letter to Confraternity Members, Diamond Jubilee

Handwritten letter to honorary members of St Walburge's Girls' Christian Doctrine Confraternity, detailing Diamond Jubilee celebrations, signed by A. Partington and N. Hayes.

Diamond Jubilee Invitation Card

Printed invitation from the President and Council of St Walburge's Girls' Christian Doctrine Confraternity to their Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Newspaper Report, Girls’ Confraternity Jubilee

1938

Preston Guardian cutting reporting the Diamond Jubilee of St Walburge's Girls' Christian Doctrine Confraternity, founded 1863, with named council members pictured.

Group Photograph with Parish Priest

A priest sits among two rows of women, several wearing badges on their coats, gathered indoors for a group photograph.

Chaplain’s Letter, Signed Bernard F. Page

Closing page of a pastoral letter to servicemen, hoping to next write with news of "Victory and Peace," signed by Bernard F. Page S.J., Editor of The Walburgian.

Chaplain’s Letter to “Walburgians” in Service

Two pages of a pastoral letter urging servicemen to keep faith and good conduct, reflecting on letters received from Walburgians during the war.

Letter to Servicemen, Signed Bernard F. Page

Final page of a pastoral letter to servicemen, closing with moral advice and signed by Bernard F. Page S.J., Honorary Chaplain to the Forces and Editor of "The Walburgian."

Letter to Servicemen, “Walburgians”

Two pages of a printed pastoral letter addressed to servicemen, discussing faith, conduct and a "Novena of Grace" booklet enclosed for Walburgians.

Studio portrait of four girls and a boy

Oval studio portrait of four girls in white dresses and hats, holding flowers, seated with a boy in a sailor-style suit, mounted on a card printed with the photographer's name.

Whit Procession, Women’s Guild

1939

Women dressed as angels with wings and banners take part in the Whit procession, named as Alice Hothersall, Win. Taylor, Alice Partington, Walton and Matilda France.

Communion Girls, Walburgian

1939

Girls in white veils and dresses walk in procession with hands joined in prayer, captioned "Walburgian, July 1939."

The Girls’ Club Sewing Class

1928

Photograph of the Girls' Club sewing class of 1928 at the Institute Buildings, girls seated at sewing machines and tables, printed caption naming Freda Finch and Matilda Kellett among those pictured.

Group of women with sashes and cross badges

Group photograph of women in matching dark coats, white hats and sashes with cross-shaped badges, a priest seated centrally, in the church grounds.

Studio Portrait of Seven Women

Sepia studio portrait of seven women in two rows, photographer's signature in the bottom corner reading "Arthur Curtis, Preston."

Procession Through the Street

Girls in white processional dress carry flowers along a street lined with spectators, a nun walking behind a "St Joseph" banner.

Maypole Dance in the Field

Girls in matching dresses and hats dance around a maypole in a field, watched by a large crowd gathered behind.

Coronation of a May Queen

A young woman is crowned with a floral wreath as May Queen, seated on a platform in a field with attendants and a watching crowd behind.

Elderly Woman in Lace Shawl, Profile Portrait

Faded, old photograph in profile of an elderly woman wrapped in a black lace shawl draped over her head and shoulders.

Preston Education Committee Letter

1935

Letter to schools circulating the Mayor's Jubilee address, requesting lost property be identified, and thanking staff for the field day.

Mayor’s Jubilee Day Address

1935

Typed copy of the Mayor's address to schoolchildren gathered in the park for King George V's Silver Jubilee, reflecting on past jubilees and urging good citizenship.

Girls in Mob Caps and Aprons Outside the Church

Girls in mob caps and aprons stand for a group photograph outside the church.

Boys’ Display Group in Matching Dress, Outdoors

Boys in matching sashes, waistcoats and decorated tunics, some wearing round badges, gather in tiered rows on grass, likely for a school fête or sports day performance.

Boys’ Gymnastic Pyramid Display

Boys in gym kit form a human pyramid in the schoolyard, watched by two instructors in tracksuits, a common school physical training exercise of the period.

Boys Assembled in the School Hall

A large body of boys sits in long rows across the school hall beneath its timber roof trusses, wall maps and pictures hanging along the side.

Phonics Reading Lessons

Handwritten reading exercises numbered Lesson 1 to 7, building simple words and sentences from short vowel sounds.

Class I Curriculum Notes, continued

Handwritten scheme of work continuing with recitation, singing and brushwork lessons for Class I.

Class I Curriculum Notes

Handwritten scheme of work for Class I, covering reading, writing, arithmetic, drawing, and a nature or clay modelling lesson.

Boys’ School Class Photograph

A large class of boys in sailor collars gathers in tiered rows outside the school, with two women and a man standing at the edges.

Standards 3 and 4 Girls

1889

Class photograph of Standards 3 and 4 girls with teacher Miss Sarah Quinn, mounted with a typed caption listing pupils by name.

William Joseph Sargent, Headmaster

Portrait of William Joseph Sargent, Headmaster of St Walburge's (Talbot) School from 1883 to 1911, who died in 1916 aged 70.

Infants Reading with their Teacher

A teacher sits with infant pupils reading picture books beside a bookcase in the upper photograph; below, boys sit reading and writing at desks.

Infants Beside a Fish Tank, and Number Cards Activity

Infant pupils stand beside a glass fish tank in the upper photograph; below, others sit at tables with counting blocks near number cards 1–5.

Infants at Their Desks

Infant pupils sit at classroom tables with paper and cards, work sheets pinned to the wall above in the upper photograph.

Infant Playtime in the Hall

Infant pupils sit and stand around the school hall.

Infants Reading with a Teacher Present

Infant pupils sit reading picture books at tables; a teacher stands reading in the upper photograph, framed pictures on the wall behind.

Infant Classroom Reading and Writing Session

Infant pupils sit at classroom tables with books and papers, some holding pencils, near a bookcase and curtained window.

Infant Sand Tray Play

Two photographs of infant pupils gathered round a sand tray with buckets and spades, a "Teddy Bear" wall poster visible in the lower scene.

Infant Climbing Frame and Rocking Horse

Two photographs of infant pupils at play: children on a wooden climbing frame with steps and ramp, and others with building blocks and a rocking horse.

Infant Classroom Group

Two photographs of infant pupils at classroom tables with picture books and worksheets, other pupils seated behind at their desks.

Nun Teaching Infants, and Play Table

Two photographs: a nun sits with infant pupils at a large desk beneath an alphabet wall chart, and children play at a tea table and toy bed.

Infant Doll Play and Sand Tray

Two photographs of infant pupils at play: girls with dolls and a pram beside a mock brick wall, and children at a sand tray.

Infant Painting with Teacher

Two photographs of infant pupils painting at easels; the lower image shows a teacher guiding two children beside a numbers wall chart.

Infant Reading Corner

Two photographs of infant pupils reading picture books at tables beside bookcases, one child holding a book open.

Infant Play House and Building Blocks

Two photographs of infant pupils at play: girls at a mock brick play house with a window hatch, and boys building with wooden blocks and a cart.

Boys at “The Water Tank” and Sand Tray

Two photographs of boys playing at a water tank labelled "The Water Tank" and a sand tray, with a BBC Schools broadcast schedule on the wall.

Infant Rocking Horse Play

Two photographs of infant pupils in the hall: a girl rides a rocking horse beside children on a balance beam, and a boy sits on a rocking horse with easels behind.

Infant Pupils Painting at the Easel

Two photographs of infant pupils drawing and painting at classroom easels, with a doll's pram visible in the background of the upper scene.

Infant Doll Play and Skipping

Two photographs of infant pupils at play: girls with dolls and a pram indoors, and a group skipping with ropes in the hall.

Infant Sand and Water Play

Two photographs of infant pupils gathered at a sand tray and a water tray, some wearing aprons, beside wall posters and story cards.

Infant Games Lesson

Two photographs of infant pupils in physical activities: boys gathered on a mat, and girls balancing along a beam in the hall.

Infant Classroom, Two Views

Two photographs of infant pupils at classroom tables writing and reading, with wall posters and a curtained window visible.

Infant Reading Corner, Two Views

Two photographs of young pupils reading picture books at a table and beside a bookcase, watched over by a statue in the lower scene.

Infant Class Play Activities

Two photographs of infant pupils at play: role-play with dolls and an ironing board below an alphabet frieze, and a tea party at a small table.

“Toytown Toffee Shop” Play Stall

Three girls play shopkeeper and customer at a mock grocer's stall, "Toytown Toffee Shop," complete with weighing scales, tins and shopping baskets.

Reading Corner, Talbot School

Young pupils sit reading picture books beside a bookcase, beneath a statue of St Joseph and Child Jesus on a cabinet.

Senior 3 Class Photograph

Older pupils of Senior 3 gather on the grass in tiered rows for a class photograph, captioned "Senior 3."

Senior 2 Class Photograph

Girls of Senior 2 gather on the grass in tiered rows for a class photograph, captioned "Senior 2."

Junior 4 and Senior 1 Class Photograph

Girls of Junior 4 and Senior 1 gather on the grass in tiered rows for a combined class photograph, captioned "Junior 4 and Senior 1."

Junior 3 and 4 Class Photograph

Girls of Junior 3 and 4 gather on the grass in tiered rows for a combined class photograph, captioned "Junior 3 and 4."

Junior II Class Photograph

Girls of Junior II gather on the grass in tiered rows for a class photograph, captioned "Junior II."

Junior 1 Class Photograph

Girls of Junior 1 gather on the grass in tiered rows for a class photograph, captioned "Junior 1."

Prefects Photograph

1951

Eleven prefects, each wearing a badge, gather indoors in tiered rows for a group photograph, captioned "Prefects – 1951."

Senior 3 Class Photograph

1951

Girls of Senior 3 gather indoors in tiered rows for a class photograph, captioned "Senior 3 – 1951."

Junior 4 Class Photograph

1951

Girls of Junior 4 gather indoors in tiered rows for a class photograph, captioned "Junior 4 – 1951."

Senior 2 Class Photograph

1951

Girls of Senior 2 gather indoors in tiered rows for a class photograph, captioned "Senior 2 – 1951."

Junior 3 Classroom Scene

1951

Girls of Junior 3 sit at wooden desks writing, with others standing behind, a wall crucifix visible, captioned "Junior 3 – 1951."

Junior 3 Class Photograph

1951

Girls of Junior 3 gather in rows in the schoolyard for a class photograph, captioned "Junior 3 – 1951."

Junior 2 Class Photograph

1951

Girls of Junior 2 gather indoors in tiered rows for a class photograph, captioned "Junior 2 – 1951."

Junior 1 Class Photograph

1951

Girls of Junior 1 gather in rows in the schoolyard for a class photograph, captioned "Junior 1 – 1951."

Talbot School Class Photograph

A class of young pupils gathers in tiered rows outside the church for a group photograph, boys standing and girls seated.

School Enrolment Letter to Father

Handwritten letter to a parish priest enclosing a list of new school members and asking him to check attendance records.

Covering Letter, Spire Certificate

1979

Letter from G.W. Cassidy enclosing the final certificate for spire repair works by Jack Smith (Builders) Ltd, dated 1979.

Final Certificate, Spire Repairs (Employer’s Copy)

1979

Employer's copy of the final certificate for spire repair works by Jack Smith (Builders) Ltd, confirming a sum of £450, dated 1979.

Final Certificate, Spire Repairs

1979

First and final building certificate confirming completion of spire repair works by Jack Smith (Builders) Ltd, for a sum of £450, dated 1979.

Survey Report, Church External and Internal

1980

First page of a survey report dated 28 October 1980, listing defects to the church's roof, windows and altars, with recommended repairs.

Sacristy Survey, Defects List

List of building defects and repairs needed for the sacristy roof, verge stones and rear entrance valley.

Presbytery Survey, Defects List

List of building defects and repairs needed for the presbytery, including the main entrance roof, Fr Gornall's bedroom and main roof.

School Buildings Survey, Defects List

List of building defects and repairs needed for the school buildings, including the Guide Room turret, chimney stack and infants' yard roof.

Building Survey Report, Defects List

Numbered list of building defects and recommended repairs, covering games room, dance floor and general roofing, with a summary comment on condition.

Cassidy & Ashton Partnership Letter

1978

Letter from Cassidy & Ashton Partnership to Father Caton enclosing copies of grant appeal letters sent for spire restoration funding.

Appeal Letter to the Leche Trust

1978

Carbon copy of a letter to the Leche Trust requesting funding towards spire repairs at St Walburge's, dated 1978.

Appeal Letter to Historic Buildings Council

1978

Carbon copy of a letter to the Historic Buildings Council for England requesting funds for spire repairs at St Walburge's, dated 1978.

Spire Appeal Letter

1978

Letter to the Historic Church Preservation Trust seeking funding for spire repairs, citing decaying stonework and an estimated £16,000 cost.

Borough Council Letter on Repair Grants

1985

Letter from Preston Borough Council to Father Caton advising St Walburge's on applying for a Historic Buildings Commission repair grant.

Historic Buildings Grant Application Notes

Typed guidance notes on applying for a Section 4 repair grant under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953.

Proposed New Altar Plan

1971

Hand-drawn floor plan for a proposed new altar at St Walburge's, labelled "existing altar rails" and "sacristy," dated 1971.

Conservation drawings, spire, window and roof detail

Printed sheet of technical drawings for St Walburge's conservation and restoration, showing the spire elevation, a detailed window study, and a roof-truss detail, by Francis B. Roberts, Chartered Architects.

Conservation drawings for St Walburge’s, Francis B. Roberts

Printed sheet of technical elevation drawings for the conservation and restoration of St Walburge's, captioned "St Walburge's Church, Preston. Some of our drawings for the conservation and restoration of this Grade I Listed Building," credited to Francis B. Roberts, Chartered Architects.

Letter to Mr Hansom quoting for stoves

1853

Handwritten letter from the Agricultural Implement Manufactory, Preston, to Mr Hansom, dated 12 March 1853, quoting £254 for two large heating stoves and associated brickwork at St Walburge's Church, signed John Whitehead.

Envelope addressed to J. Hansom, Architect

Folded letter cover addressed "J. Hansom Esq, Architect," with a red wax seal, endorsed "St Walburge's Church, Mr John Whitehead's Tender for warming apparatus, £254.00."

Letter to Mr Hansom quoting for stoves

1853

Handwritten letter from the Agricultural Implement Manufactory, Preston, to Mr Hansom, dated 12 March 1853, quoting £254 for two large heating stoves and associated brickwork at St Walburge's Church, signed John Whitehead.

Solicitor’s account of costs for land purchase

1869

Handwritten legal account itemising a solicitor's costs for the conveyance of land, dated May 1869, with an itemised list of fees and a tax stamp affixed at the foot.

Sheet of architect’s sacristy design sketches, numbered “No. 11”

Sheet of watercolour architectural sketches for St Walburge's sacristy, including a window sill, roof beam, and moulding details, with the architect's handwritten notes, numbered "No. 11."

Sheet of architect’s window design sketches, numbered “No. 12”

Sheet of watercolour architectural sketches for St Walburge's showing a window design with new tracery, moulding profiles and decorative details, with the architect's handwritten notes, numbered "No. 12."

Sheet of architect’s design sketches, numbered “No. 15”

Sheet of watercolour architectural sketches for St Walburge's showing mouldings, a chapel section, and a small rose window over an arched doorway, with the architect's handwritten notes, numbered "No. 15."

Sheet of architect’s design sketches, numbered “No. 16”

Sheet of watercolour architectural sketches for St Walburge's showing multiple elevations and sections, including a chapel, sacristy, apse and rose window, with the architect's handwritten notes throughout, numbered "No. 16."

Sheet of architect’s floor plan and elevation sketches, numbered “No. 17”

Sheet of watercolour architectural sketches for St Walburge's showing a floor plan with paving detail and an elevation with a staircase and gallery, with the architect's handwritten notes, numbered "No. 17."

Sketch design for marble wall-lining, elevation drawing

Architect's watercolour elevation drawing for a marble wall-lining at St Walburge's, four arched panels with coloured marble bands, titled "Sketch Design for Marble Wall-Lining" and numbered "Design No. W65."

Peter Page, the younger brother, marries

Newspaper wedding photograph of Lt. Peter Page, R.N., Frederick's younger brother, who was also present at the Battle of Crete, marrying Pauline Easton at St George's, Buckland.

Frederick Page found safe, a prisoner of war in Italy

Newspaper cutting bringing relief for the Page family. Frederick had been picked up by an Italian ship and was alive as a prisoner of war.

Frederick Page reported missing, Battle of Crete

Newspaper cutting reporting Lieut. Frederick Page missing from the destroyer Hereward after Crete, his younger brother Peter also having been in the battle.

Watercolour design for St Walburge’s spire and church

Watercolour architectural rendering of St Walburge's, spire and west front in sandstone tones, small figures in Victorian dress standing before the railings.

“The Old Presbytery and Schools,” painting by E. Beattie

Illustration of the old presbytery and schools beside St Walburge's, captioned "The Old Presbytery and Schools," from a painting by E. Beattie dated 1896, noted as replaced by the present building on 21 September 1903.

“The Last Photograph” showing the original iron railings

Photograph of St Walburge's west front and rose window with its original iron railings, captioned "Front of the Church. The last photograph to be taken showing our fine railings, scrapped to make shells." Photo by W. Grime.

The New Parish Committee” group photograph

Group photograph of the new parish committee arranged in three rows outside the church, each member named in the printed caption below, photo credited to W. Grime.

“The Old Guard,” first parish committee

1923

Group photograph of the first parish committee, elected July 1923, arranged in four rows outside the church, each member named in the printed caption below.

“Preston from the Air,” aerial postcard

Printed postcard of Preston seen from the air, dense terraced streets and a railway station and sidings running across the middle distance, captioned "Preston from the Air."

Down the nave to the sanctuary and east window

Colour photograph looking down the empty nave of St Walburge's toward the sanctuary, dark wooden pews leading the eye to the great east window and altar.

The rose window, seen from within

Colour photograph of St Walburge's rose window seen from inside the church, its stained glass petals lit from behind against the dark stone tracery.

The sanctuary from above, forward altar in view

Colour photograph of St Walburge's sanctuary seen from a raised vantage, a freestanding forward altar in the foreground and the original high altar and side altars behind.

May Crowning ceremony at the sanctuary steps

A crowned girl in white places flowers at a statue of Our Lady, altar servers and children in white gathered on the sanctuary steps at St Walburge's.

The Lady Altar, St Walburge’s

Printed postcard of the Lady Altar at St Walburge's, a statue of Our Lady flanked by saints beneath painted texts, captioned "The Lady Altar, St Walburge's, Preston."

The Jubilee of St Walburge’s

1904

Hand-coloured illustration of St Walburge's decked with flags and bunting for its jubilee, inscribed "The Jubilee of St Walburge's, Preston 1904" and signed F. Beattie.

The sanctuary and east window, unoccupied

Photograph of St Walburge's sanctuary and great east window seen down the empty nave, side altars either side, pews in the foreground.

The sanctuary decorated with candles and flowers

Photograph of St Walburge's sanctuary banked with tiered candles and flowers before the east window, two servers kneeling below.

Mass at the sanctuary, full view of St Walburge’s

Photograph of St Walburge's sanctuary and east window from the pews, a priest at the altar with a small congregation seated below, side altars and statues either side.

Sailor-suited boy and angel-winged girl with “Fervour” banner

A boy in a sailor suit and a girl dressed as an angel hold a banner reading "Fervour," a crowd gathered behind them in the street.

Statue borne through the streets in procession

A statue carried on a platform by men in cassock and cotta through a crowded street, crowds seated along the pavement.

Boys in sailor suits marching through Preston

Boys in matching white sailor suits and caps march in rows down a cobbled street, crowds watching outside shopfronts including B. Hirst Ltd and the Palatine Rubber Co.

Crowning of Our Lady’s statue at the church porch

A crowned girl in white reaches to place flowers or a crown at a statue of Our Lady, altar servers and children in white gathered around, at the arched entrance of the church.

First Communion group before a statue of Our Lady

Children in white communion dress and veils, holding lily bouquets, are arranged before a statue of Our Lady wreathed in lilies.

Girls processing through the streets with flowers

Girls in white dresses and sashes carry flowers along a cobbled street, a woman in white leading with a processional cross behind, crowds watching from the pavement.

Angel-winged girls with virtue banners in procession

Girls dressed as angels carrying virtue banners including "Fervour" and "Grace," processing down a street.

Calvary float drawn through the streets

A large Calvary group of the crucified Christ, Our Lady and St John is drawn on a float through a cobbled street, women in white robes and sashes hauling on ropes alongside, crowds watching from the pavement.

“Immaculate Conception” tableau with angels

Young women dressed as angels stand around a central figure in a crown and veil with hands joined in prayer, banners reading "Immaculate Conception" held at either end.

Mass at St Walburge’s with many clergy present

Photograph of Mass at St Walburge's, many priests in white vestments filling the sanctuary before the great east window, a full congregation standing at the pews.

St Walburge’s Horticultural Society

1905

Group photograph of men and boys in front of a glasshouse, a priest seated centrally, captioned "St Walburge's Horticultural Society, 1905."

Fred Dibnah in the tower archway at St Walburge’s

Photograph of famous steeplejack and TV personality Fred Dibnah, smiling, holding a blue rope, standing in a stone archway high on St Walburge's.

Woodcut-style illustration of St Walburge’s spire

Stylised black and white illustration of St Walburge's spire with radiating light beams, initialled "N."

St Walburge’s and terraced street, early photograph

Early photograph of St Walburge's tower and spire beside a row of terraced houses, a figure standing in the empty street below.

St Walburge’s spire and east end, postcard view

Printed postcard of St Walburge's from the street, the spire rising above the apse and east end, captioned "St Walburge's Church, Preston."

St Walburge’s spire above the Preston skyline

Photograph of St Walburge's spire rising above the town, allotments and greenhouses filling the foreground, a road flyover visible to the left.

St Walburge’s west front and spire, early view

Historical photograph of St Walburge's from a raised vantage, the rose window and gabled west front on the left, the tower and spire rising beside it, open ground in the foreground.

St Walburge’s buttresses, seen through the porch arch

Photograph of St Walburge's south wall and stepped buttresses, seen in receding line through the stone arch of the porch.

St Walburge’s above industrial Preston

Historical photograph looking over Preston's rooftops and mill chimneys, St Walburge's rose window and spire rising above the terraces, a crowd gathered in the street below.

St Walburge’s west front and spire

Photograph of St Walburge's from the street, the great rose window and gabled west front on the left, the tall spire rising beside it against a cloudy sky.

The sanctuary decorated for the Quarant’Ore

1939

Photograph of St Walburge's sanctuary banked with candles and flowers for the Forty Hours' Devotions, worshippers kneeling in the pews before it.

Quarant’Ore report, The Walburgian

1939

Typed extract from The Walburgian parish magazine (Vol 18, No 5, May 1939) reporting on the sanctuary decorations for the Forty Hours' Devotions held on 19 March 1939, describing the floral display and the word "Pax" formed in candles across the sanctuary steps.

St Walburge’s Tambourine Dancers, Maudland Field Day 1913

Girls in white dresses with dark sashes hold tambourines aloft, captioned "St Walburge's Tambourine Dancers, Maudland Field Day, July 19, 1913," a striped marquee behind.

Boys dressed as patron saints of youth, banner and altar servers

Boys dressed as patron saints of youth stand for a group photograph, altar servers and banners naming individual saints behind, a central banner reading "Patrons of Youth".

View from St Walburge’s over Preston docks and railway

Colour photograph taken from height at St Walburge's, looking over terraced streets, railway lines and a neighbouring church tower toward the docks and river in the distance.

Pulpit and side aisle, St Walburge’s Church

Printed postcard of the pulpit and side aisle at St Walburge's, painted texts and stained glass along the wall arcade, pews in the foreground, captioned "Pulpit & Side Aisle, St Walburge's Church, Preston.

School class photograph with schoolmaster

Boys in caps and collars arranged in rows for a school photograph, schoolmaster standing to one side.

St Walburge’s Morris dancers, Maudland Field Day

Group photograph of boys in matching Morris dancer costume, captioned "St Walburge's Maudland Field Day Morris Dancers," with a man in a suit standing at one side.

Girls in angel costume process down a Preston street

Girls dressed as angels with model harps and trumpets, processing down a Preston street, crowds seated along the pavement.

Aerial postcard view of St Walburge’s, Maudland

Printed postcard showing an aerial view of St Walburge's church and spire rising above the terraced streets and mill buildings of Maudland, captioned "St Walburge's Church, Maudland.

Cricket team photograph with priest and shield

A cricket team in whites sits and stands for a team photograph outside a brick building, a priest seated centrally, a shield trophy displayed at the front.

Girls processing through the streets of Preston

Girls in white dresses and sashes carry flowers along a cobbled Preston street, a woman in white leading with a processional cross behind, crowds watching from the pavement.

Comic animal costume at an outdoor gathering

A comic two-person animal costume, spotted and long-necked, is led past a crowd of parishioners and children lining the field.

Altar servers with cross, candles and thurible

Altar servers in cassock and cotta with a processional cross, candlesticks and thurible, standing in the churchyard.

Boys’ drill display

Rows of boys in matching drill uniform perform synchronised exercises in a field, a large crowd of parents and parishioners watching behind a rope boundary.

“Mary Our Mother” procession banners

Girls and women in white veils pose beside a statue of Our Lady, holding flower-decorated banners reading "Mary Our Mother."

Talbot School class photograph, girls in rows

Girls of Talbot School posed in four rows outside the school building, pale pinafores over dark dresses, hair tied with ribbons.

St Walburge’s famous spire under restoration

Photograph looking up at St Walburge's spire, scaffolding encircling the tower below the base of the spire while the stonework tapers unobstructed above. Gothic belfry windows are visible in the tower beneath.

Looking up at the Calvary against the sky

Photograph of the crucifix of St Walburge's Calvary, seen from directly below, the figure held to the cross with metal fixing bands against a clouded sky.

St Walburge’s exterior swathed in scaffolding

Photograph of St Walburge's exterior during restoration, scaffolding and sheeting rising the full height of the roof and covering the traceried windows below. A car is parked on the road in front, alongside an adjoining parish building.

Mass continues beneath the scaffolding

Photograph looking down the nave of St Walburge's during restoration, the congregation seated in the pews for Mass while scaffolding rises to the roof on either side and sheeting hangs from the walls. The priest stands on the sanctuary.

The Calvary crucifix, secured within the scaffolding

Photograph of the crucifix of St Walburge's Calvary, seen close and full-length, fixed to the cross with metal brackets and bound at the waist as scaffolding is erected around it. Preston's rooftops and skyline stretch out below.

The Calvary crucifix, secured during restoration

Photograph taken close beside the crucifix of St Walburge's Calvary, secured against its cross with a temporary wire during restoration, scaffolding poles crossing the frame. Preston's railway lines and rooftops visible in the distance.

Climbing the roof ridge with rope and ladder

Photograph looking up the steep slate roof ridge of St Walburge's, a workman climbing near the top secured by rope, a ladder laid against the slope beside him. Carved stone ornaments project from the roofline against the sky.

The timber roof and sanctuary sheeted for restoration

Photograph looking down the nave of St Walburge's toward the sanctuary, the great timber roof arching overhead and statues of saints standing on brackets along both sides. The altar and furnishings are wrapped in dust sheets, with the pews beneath covered from end to end.

Restoration workmen’s Land Rover beneath the porch arch

Photograph of a blue Land Rover loaded with ladders, parked on the paving beneath St Walburge's arched west porch, coiled ropes lying on the grass beside it. The pointed archway frames a further view of the covered walkway and houses beyond.

The Calvary at the west front gable, St Walburge’s

Photograph taken at height beside the Calvary above the west front entrance doors of St Walburge's: the feet of the crucified Christ above, with statues of Our Lady and St John standing either side. Scaffolding and Preston's rooftops stretch out beyond.

Nave and sanctuary during restoration works

Photograph looking down the nave of St Walburge's during restoration, the pews sheeted in dust covers and scaffolding rising the full height of the walls either side. At the far end, the great east window and gilded statues remain visible above the empty sanctuary.

Scaffolder on the church roof, Preston rooftops beyond

Photograph taken from scaffolding near the top of St Walburge's tower, looking down over the terraced streets and rooftops of the parish. A young workman climbs onto the boarded platform; a second worker stands beside him.

Mass celebrated amid restoration scaffolding

Photograph taken during Mass at St Walburge's, with scaffolding crossing the sanctuary. A priest in chasuble reads from the missal at the marble altar, candles and flowers behind the altar rails, while singers and an organist take part from the left.