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The Centenary Of the Present
Building of the Prescot Parish Church Men's
Institute
by former PGS Allan Richardson |
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We are told by both
psychologists and sociologists that the
'gregarious instinct' is one, which has the
greatest social importance, as it moulds the form
of society and groups within that society and
functionally keeps members of the group together,
be they a secret society, pofitical party, trade
union or Church group. It also particularly and
peculiarly determines our recreations. In this
respect some are introduced to these and form a
small group al an eariy age. probably late
adolescence, others later in life, when domestic
influences cause us to settle or move into an
area of employment or eventually, retirement. |
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| I was one
who exemplifies the former case, in so far that
four very adolescent boys from the Parish Church,
Ray Grimshaw, Ron Preston, Richard Lawrenson and
myself were encouraged to join the Parish Church
Institute and then be tutored, seemingly by
venerable senior members, whom we perceived
always to wear flat caps, even when playing
Billiards, cocooned in a fog of 'thick twist1
tobacco smoke and sometimes huddled around the
solitary gas fire, because someone had forgotten
to light the boiler, or the wood chips were so
wet, it was impossible to ignite it. Even worse
the coke had not been delivered, as the Institute
is a very cold place without heating. It would
seem incongruous today to witness many senior
players, perpetually wearing flat caps, whilst
sitting or playing Billiards or Snooker in the
Institute. We four joined at the same lime over
50 years ago and still bear witness to the adage
'catch them young, keep them forever'. We are
still members of the Institute to this very day. |
| It is a privilege
and honour to be invited by our present Secretary
Colin Taylor and the Committee to write this
small book as a record and tribute to the
hundreds of members who have enjoyed every minute
of being a member and sharing together, common
backgrounds, humour, fun, joys and sadness,
whilst holding in our hands a long tapering piece
of Ash timber, in a bent body position,
endeavouring to caress or bash either 2 white or
1 red ball, or 15 red balls and a variety of 6
coloured balls into 6 pockets over a green baize
table, under the glare of very bright lights,
surrounded by inky darkness, accompanied by the
slow ticking of the Institute clock as time
marched ever onwards . They also say ESKIMOES
have fun!!!!!! |
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What I have
presented here is not a complete, fully
documented, account of the Institute. That would
be impossible, I have tried to present from the
extant records, what I perceive as a tangible
record of the Institute on the occasion of its
Centenary. Another person would have perceived
perhaps a different slory and sketched a
different picture. It is therefore all too
subjective, coloured by my own interests,
observations and insights. |
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| Printed by Colin
Ball Printing [01744 889914] |
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