Canon George Benjamin Clegg (1890 - 1902)

Canon George Benjamin Clegg was born near Edinburgh in 1832. After ordination in 1856 he remained at Lisbon (where he had studied) as professor followed by appointment to a number of parishes. He was elected Canon of the Chapter in 1875 and whilst incumbent at St Winefride's, 1890-1902, he was appointed Provost. As recorded elsewhere in this Chronicle the belfry was added in 1899. Was this not only to complete the Church according to the original plans of the elder Pugin, but also to commemorate the Parish Golden Jubilee in 1893. In addition he himself would be celebrating the fortieth year of his priesthood in 1896.

Fluent in French, Irish and Portuguese he heard confessions in all three languages — a boon to visitors, sailors and Irish immigrants. Provost Clegg left St Winefride's for St Mary of the Angels, Hooton in 1902 where he would serve up to his death on 26th April 1913.

His grave is to be found in the churchyard of St Mary of the Angels. Other honours bestowed upon him were Privy Chamberlain 1906; Domestic Prelate 1908; Vicar Capitular 1908.

Rev Bernard Thompson (1902-1913)

Rev Bernard Thompson was born at Congleton. He studied at the Junior Seminary at Sedgeley Park then continued at Donai and Ushaw. He was ordained in 1880 at St Laurence's, Birkenhead. He was famed as a preacher and St Winefride's parishioners too were spellbound. Recognised as one who did not spare himself, consequently his health suffered. As he could not always stand the pace, Franciscan father Cuthbert Hess would come from the Monastery at Pantasaph to help with parish duties. From St Winefride's father Thompson went to St Joseph's, Sale, where he died in 1929 and is buried at Brooklands Cemetery, Sale.

Rev John David Ryan (1913-1935)

Rev John David Ryan was born at Flint. He studied for the priesthood at Cotton and Ushaw and was ordained by Bishop Knight on 8 September 1891 in the domestic chapel of St David's College, Mold. His experience as curate in several parishes including St Laurence's, Birkenhead (1893-1894) and St Alban's, Liscard (1895-1898) before his appointment as Parish Priest at Middlewich, served him well when in 1902 he became Acting Chaplain to the Forces in South Africa" and followed by further service up to 1906 when he returned to the diocese, eventually becoming parish priest at St Winefride's (1913-1935).

These were eventful years. The parish responded to the energy and warmth of his personality. He himself had a great devotion to Our Lady and the procession in her honour in May 1914 became an annual event. Blue-cloaked Children of Mary carried the statue and banner returning to the Church for the Crowning Ceremony and Benediction.

The missionary spirit that founded St Winefride's founded the mission that would become Our Lady and St John, Heswall, where, in 1914, the first Mass was celebrated in the ballroom of the Victoria Hotel.

Various forms of transport were used by Father Ryan, accompanied by his altar servers, ranging from Bell's Taxi to Swift's horse and cab (which also on occasions took him on Thursday evenings to dinner hosted by Roger Taylor at Alma Cottage, Parkgate), and in summer they often cycled. In fact, Father Ryan was well known on his bicycle, his usual way of getting around a widely spread parish. Then came the Austin Seven! His Airedale dogs, Monk and Flint, slept in the coach house.

Father Ryan's hobby was woodwork - he was a gifted craftsman - and the hall housed his materials and tools. He made the solid chestnut wood double gates to replace white painted paling ones, and carved three Offertory Plates - the smallest, though damaged, still in use and inscribed 'For God and St Winefride'. For the presbytery he carved overmantles and furniture. When the church was redecorated he replaced the second set of Stations of the Cross (which went to the 'tin' church at Heswall in 1928) with the enamel ones.

In 1935 ill-health forced him to retire to Rhyl where he died on 9 March 1941. He is buried at Pantasaph. Father William Ross, S.J. who had been a Chaplain to the Forces, assisted Father Ryan, sometimes for quite long periods.

Rev George A. Worsley D.D. (1935-1941)

Rev George A. Worsley was born in Birkenhead. He studied for the priesthood at Ushaw and the English College, Rome, where he was ordained on 6th March 1927 by the Rt Rev Arthur Hinsley (later Cardinal). After being a curate at St Werburgh's, Chester and the Cathedral, Shrewsbury he was appointed Parish Priest of St Winefride's (1935-41).

He was kind and firm and had a quiet, lively sense of humour. One of the first innovations was to abolish bench rents and the brass name plates, to encourage parishioners to use the front benches. Needless to say the new system had to be adjusted to but with the outbreak of war and an increased congregation the situation resolved itself.'

His preparation for the Consecration of the Church in 1939 is described elsewhere in this chronicle, and involved the removal of most of the Gothic style decoration and lighting, and the introduction of Renaissance-style paneling in the sanctuary. The altar was replaced by marble, likewise the wood and brass altar rails, and the marble pulpit was introduced. The Calvary was so placed that the clear view of the East Window was lost. However, when the window was damaged in 1962, and removed, and not restored until 1985, the Calvary became the focal point above the altar step. Our Lady's Altar as a Lourdes Grotto was unchanged. Father Worsley introduced the procession in honour of the Blessed Sacrament, held on the Sunday after Corpus Christi.

With the opening of the new C.of E. school in Neston, St Winefride's lost nearly half its pupils, as the school, though Catholic, had many non-Catholics attending and was threatened with closure. Father Worsley fought to keep the school open and thanks to him Catholic education continued to have a base in Neston. Through his determination St Winefride's school was saved from closure.

In 1941 he became Parish Priest of St John's New Ferry, where he died on 27th April, 1957 and is buried at Flaybrick Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Annie Maguire (nee Swift), a parishioner of St Winefride's was his housekeeper and continued as such at St John's Presbytery.

Rev (later Canon) Joseph M. Briscoe(1941-1950)

The Rev Joseph M. Briscoe was born in St John's Parish, New Ferry where he was ordained on 24th March 1928 by Bishop Singleton after studying at Donai, the English College, Rome and Fribourg. He was already experienced as parish priest before taking up his appointment at St Winefride’s (1941-50) where the presbytery became very much the family home with his sister Rosie as housekeeper and to which his brothers (Vincent and Padre Bill Briscoe) serving in the forces came on leave. He and his sister Jenny gardened happily, and other members of his family came as occasion served — the Rector's Bench came into its own!

Father Briscoe's light tenor voice complemented the choir, especially outdoors during processions. His love of music led him to be a founder of the Neston Music Society (now unhappily defunct). String instruments were his favourites, violin and cello especially, and his favourite song was The lark in the clear air'. The weekly play reading circle was a social outlet enlivened annually as St Patrick's Day approached by the teaching of reels to the accompaniment of records on an old gramophone.

He was a light-footed dancer. His gentleness and rather dreamy manner belied a markedly. practical streak - for example when he helped a newly wedded couple (the Griffiths') arrange their furniture and he himself hung the curtains.

He left St Winefride's in 1950 to serve two further parishes, until 1978 when he retired. His death occurred on 19th October, 1978, and he is buried at St Winefride's.

Rev Edward Coughlan (1950-1954)

Rev Edward Coughlan was born at Seacombe. After studying for the priesthood at Ushaw he was ordained by Bishop Moriarty at Our Lady's, Birkenhead, on 24th June,1934. From then until 1941 he was curate at St Edward's, Runcorn, when he became Chaplain to the forces (1941-46), seeing service in Holland, Belgium and France. The Belgian Croix de Guerre was awarded him 'For services rendered to the Belgian Government . . . and was also mentioned in despatches. . '. (as reported in the Birkenhead News after his death).

After the war he became a member of the Military History Society. On returning to the diocese he was appointed to St Anne's, Nantwich and then to St Winefride's (1950-54) where his short stay was marked by his interest in the Scout Movement in which he was assisted by other priests of the diocese. The field was used annually for camping. He and others, helped by Dick Lee, a parishioner, continued the gardening so enjoyed by his predecessor.

Sport was another of his interests and he was always in evidence on St Winefride's School's sports days. His work as one of the Diocesan Examiners was time consuming, so that the assistance of Rev J. Egan, a Salvatorian from Christleton, was sometimes needed in the parish. Father Egan knew the parish well as he had frequently helped the Rev J. Briscoe. From St Winefride's Father Coughlan went to St Peter's, Stalybridge where he died on 5th January, 1967. He is buried at Dukinfield.

Rev Frank L. Jones (1954-1966)

Frank L. Jones was born in Rock Ferry in 1907. His studies for the priesthood took him to Chieri in northern Italy and south to Naples before finally arriving at Oscott where he completed his studies and was ordained on 29th June, 1937. He volunteered as Chaplain to the Forces (1940-41). Unfortunately, he contracted malaria and died in 1966 as a result of a heart attack. Following other appointments in the diocese he came to St Winefride's in 1954.

Wherever he served the depth and warmth of his personality and simple philosophy brought people to him. He was a very humble self-effacing priest, full of the milk of human kindness, he believed the greatest sin in life was to speak ill of anyone.

Father Frank's great loves in life, apart from his family to whom he was devoted, were horse racing and reading, his favourites being P. G. Wodehouse and Damon Runyon. His regular bedtime reading, however, was the Time Form book, working out tomorrow's winners. Numerous friends in the racing fraternity, trainers, jockeys etc sometimes helped in that direction.

Always the individual, he wore his trilby ‘broadsides' with brim upturned, his black beret he wore at a decidedly rakish angle and he loved baggy trousers, his Oxford bags. Practical, yet uncaring of himself, oblivious to personal inconvenience, he was generous to a fault in helping others. He had a great ability to mix easily with all levels of society.

It was not unknown for him to be seen discussing form at the village cross with the local ‘lads'. Sometimes he was moved along by Canon Hempton when they sat on the wall of the parish church, the Canon of course apologising when recognising Father Jones.

When he was a religious examiner for the diocese he was known to reward both pupils and teachers with a handful of jelly babies. There are so many anecdotes and stories about this very human and much-loved man a book could be compiled on him alone.

Father Jones did not have a car, but this was never a problem as several parishioners volunteered to drive him, especially when there was a sick call, and on first Fridays when taking out Holy Communion. The parish had outgrown the outdoor collection begun in the 1850's. The Altar Society now became a retiring collection on the first Sunday of each month.

In 1962 Father Jones celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his priesthood and even managed to have a holiday in Italy. Earlier that year the exhumation of the grave where St John Plessington was believed to have been buried took place, and the shrine prepared to receive the remains. The result of the exhumation was disappointing. No formal identification of the remains was possible.

St Winefride's came into the possession of the granite slab which Victor Morrell of St Nicholas's, Burton, had in the 1920's placed on the reputed grave of Father Ralph Platt whose wish had always been to be buried in the grave of 'the other priest'. The rose and silver and cope believed to have been associated with St John Plessington were brought from St Mary of the Angels, Hooton, to be displayed permanently in St Winefride's.

Father Frank loved life and he loved people. 'Daybreak was great’, he would say, ‘the world’s at peace and God is in his heaven’. On the 1st August, 1966, he joined Him there, appropriately enough in the morning, shortly after saying Mass and is buried at St Winefride's.

Canon William Briscoe, OBE, (Hon Rtd) (1966 - 1986)

Father Briscoe — Fr B to so very many, and delighting in signing himself as such, settled happily in the parish for 19 years (but managed to give the impression he still lived out of a kitbag and a tin trunk!) - a parish already known to him and as he so often fondly remarks 'My first and only parish'. He is easily remembered, invariably to be found smoke-screened in sitting room-cum-office (he loved a fire, a cigarette - in elegant holder - and the Daily Express, a good racing guide, studying form).

In 1966 a wide range of activities were being promoted in the parish — CWL, Knights of St Columba, tote, Bingo - all attracting his attention, and many of the AGMs enlivened by his fund of humorous stories — some unashamedly 'borrowed' from other priests!

St Winefride's, so long associated with devotion to Our Lady took on board another — the novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on Thursday evenings. When the builders' dust settled Father Briscoe began to say the Friday morning Mass in the new school in Mellock Lane. On Sunday mornings while the 10 and 11.30 am Masses were being said by a visiting priest (a regular arrangement), Father Briscoe, in black cloak and often followed by his dog, Finn, would be seen taking Holy Communion to the Titleys in West Vale. In the coach house he kept two tin trunks that had served him well in the tropics, and the hall stand in the presbytery held a collection of headgear accumulated over the years, articles of personal history to suit any kind of clime.

Always an honoured guest at the Royal British Legion in Willaston, he took part in Remembrance Day parades, mindful of his role as Chaplain (1941-46) with the 5th Parachute Brigade of the 6th Airborne Division (he landed in Normandy on D-Day and was severely wounded in that campaign) and then as Chaplain R.N. (1946-66).

In 1978-79 Father Briscoe was obliged to take sick leave, returning after Easter, when the first of two Flower Festivals was drawing to a close. Father John McManus covered this period of absence. Priests who assisted him after this date were the Revs James Farrell (1979-81), David Craig (1981-83) and Patrick Shivnen (1983-84). Before Father Briscoe left, another dog, Nuala, became part of his establishment - and would go into retirement with him to New Brighton 'Where', said Father Briscoe the day before he left, 'her next walk will be full of ozone'.

Fr Gerry Courell (1986 - 2012) 

Fr. Gerry Courell arrived at St. Winefride’s in early February 1986. He was from the West of Ireland - a Mayo man from Ballina. He entered St. Peter’s seminary in Wexford in September 1962 and was ordained to the priesthood in June 1968. He opted for the Shrewsbury diocese because “it was closest to home!” His first parish was St. Werburgh’s Chester (1968-1974), as curate. He was then transferred to St. Saviour's Great Sutton (1974 - 1979). He was then made Parish Priest at Holy Spirit Runcorn (1979 -1986) and eventually moved to St. Winefride’s.

 

Within a short space of time everyone felt as though they had known him all their lives. His quality as a person and sensitivity as a Parish Priest was immediately apparent. He became loved by all and he quickly learnt to know every parishioner by name and became a friend first and parish priest second. His unique sense of humour soon came to the fore, being demonstrated regularly on a Sunday with his jokes and tales after Mass, much to the entertainment of the altar servers who had increased sevenfold since his arrival.

 

One of the many things he introduced was the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve, which has now become a tradition much enjoyed by children and adults alike. He showed a very sensitive concern for the sick and a sincere way with words which enabled him to find the right words to console and he became a great source of comfort to grieving families. He was a very familiar figure in St. Winefride’s school, knowing each child by name and reputation!

 

He became an avid supporter and coach to the school football team.
He had a long history of a love of Gaelic football as his grandfather, Tom Courell, was the first president of The Ballina Stephenites Club (established in 1886) in his home town. His father, Gerald Courell, was a famous Gaelic football player. Fr. Courell became Club Patron of Stephenites, a post he held until his death. He always said that one of the highlights of his life was seeing the victory of the Ballina Stephenites in the All Ireland Finals in 2005 in Croke Park, for which he had especially taken a trip home.

 

His love of soccer led him to become the chaplain of Tranmere Rovers Football Club, Birkenhead for his last 20 years at St. Winefride’s. His involvement with the school football team reached its pinnacle in 2009 when they won through to the final of the Football League Community Cup. The school team went unbeaten in 13 games and went on to represent the North of England at Wembley Stadium in the final – a once in a lifetime match! The match was a draw so both teams were declared winners and both received a cup. This cup was proudly shown at Mass on a Sunday so that the whole parish could see it and Fr. Courell declared:

 

"I thought the highlight of my life was my home team winning the All Ireland final – but leading St. Winefride’s out onto the pitch at Wembley

and winning the cup, tops it!" 

 

Here is his personal report of the match:

 

 

 

Wembley 2009

Saturday May 23rd the coach departed St. Winefride’s 8.30am. We were cheered off by a group of well wishers having earlier been provided with sausage baps, bacon butties, tea or coffee, so we started our journey full and satisfied.

 

We arrived at our hotel, in the shadow of Wembley stadium, at 12.45pm and having sorted out our rooms we embarked to cross London via the underground to take a trip on the ‘London Eye’, a marvellous hair-raising experience for those who have difficulty with heights. Jenny’s wheelchair, in the absence of lifts, was a problem but ably sorted out by Nathan and Damien. Back to the hotel for our evening meal and off to bed at 9.30pm (players).

 

Saturday 24th began at 5.30am with the patter of little feet outside my door, the anticipation, the excitement was becoming too much. Breakfast 8am – an eye opening experience as I watched the boys get stuck in despite the nerves. The boy sitting opposite me at table had 2 sausages, 2 pieces of bacon, 2 hash browns, a mound of scrambled egg, beans, mushrooms and apart from leaving a few beans and a sausage he cleared the plate!

 

Then, after what seemed like an eternity we waited for Ann Hussey our football league rep, to appear. Eventually, at 9.45am she arrived to escort us to the stadium, a short walk of just 4 minutes. The stadium, was amazing but the welcome we received was even more so. We were ushered through the barriers – doors – past officials like VIPs and on to our dressing room which had a sign on it proclaiming: “ST.WINFRIDS RC PRIMARY SCHOOL NESTON”. Despite the wrong spelling there was no stopping the rush of pride and emotion which welled up inside. The dressing room was huge. There are four in Wembley, all identical, a well stocked fridge, a treatment room, bath, showers, toilets. Ann then led us out onto the Wembley pitch through a maze of roads and pathways, like a mini underground city, and the awesome experience of walking out onto the ground. Back to the dressing room to prepare for the game, everything organized to a schedule which had to be adhered to.

 

Watching the lads' line in the tunnel area waiting to be called will always remain one of the great emotion-filled moments of my life. The game itself was in many ways uneventful apart from Alex Gore’s shot which, on another day, would have gone in. The playing area was huge. The temperature over 100 degrees, so it ended in stalemate, 0-0, which meant both teams were winners as joint champions of 2009. As the boys trooped up to receive their winners medals you could not help but feel we had created a little bit of history, OUR little school – National Champions of England.

 

Congratulations to Mr. Haynes and the team, Tom Flooks, Jack Jones, Dan Robinson,Will Hardy, Alex Gore, Josh Sutton, Joe Hardy, Ben Meredith.

 

Thanks for all the memories lads, not just of Wembley, but of all the 21 games unbeaten that you played to get there.

 

By Fr. Gerry Courell

 

1993 was the 150th anniversary of St. Winefride’s parish and coincidentally it was also 25 years since the ordination of Fr. Courell and both were celebrated together. A stained glass window commemorating the occasion was installed towards the back of the church on the left hand side. It also commemorates the 50th anniversary as a priest, of Bishop Joseph Gray, who was then the Bishop of Shrewsbury.   

Part One - Fr Courell talks to

Helen Jones (BBC Merseyside)

Part Two - Tranmere Rovers

Part Three - On becoming

a priest and Father Ted!

Part Four - In St Winefride's Church

The Jublilate Window

Part Five - Organ and Confessional

Part Six - Stories

Fr Courell section compiled by Judy Howard