Our Lady of the Assumption Church - Newspaper Article
Publication: Blackpool Gazette & Herald
Date: Saturday 19 August 1950
Title: Blowing Sands 'is a valiant little parish' — Bishop of Sinda.
'One of the most remarkable parishes in the whole of Blackpool,' was how Dr. T. B. Pearson, Bishop of Sinda, described the Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Common Edge-road, Marton, at the garden party on Wednesday.
Dr. Pearson said he was pleased to be at a function of the valiant little parish.
'In the three years of its existence you have paid off, each year, £1,000 of the debt,' he said. That, he added, was an achievement of which the church should be very proud.
‘We know perfectly well,’ said Dr. Pearson, ‘that the work is only just beginning, and I am hoping that next January the foundations will be dug and put in for a big new school which will accommodate 560 children.’
Mrs. R. E. Conroy, opening the fete, said it was an honour to be on the platform with Dr. Pearson, who did so much in establishing the church.
‘If inspiration is needed to make this afternoon a success there is the wonderful example of Father J. J. Bamber and his workers, who made such great sacrifices to build the church with their own hands. ‘We Catholics,’ said Mrs. Conroy, ‘must fight and make sacrifices always for our schools and churches.’
Also on the platform were Father Bamber and Father A. Boyle, curate at St Cuthbert's.
There were sideshows and stalls on the field There will be another garden party this afternoon.
The money from both fetes is to help to pay the debt on the land on which the new school will be built.
Members of the parochial committee who organised the fete are Mr. H. Walton, chairman: Mr, C. Stewart, hon. secretary; Mrs, K. Goodlad, hon. treasurer, Committee: Mesdames F. Fitzgerald, C. Fecitt, M. Chamberlain, N. Winckley, N. Fish. P. Hall, James, and Mr. E. Goodlad.