ST.ANNES TECHNICAL SCHOOL
FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING CEREMONY

The foundation stone laying ceremony of St.Annes Technical School marks a new epoch in the history of St.Annes. For many years the higher education classes have been carried on in five different places in the town, greatly to the inconvenience of the students and to the detriment of proper supervision.

The need of a central building was greatly felt, and on representations be­ing made to the County Council, the Educa­tion Committee of that body came to our assistance and offered to erect a building on terms that the Urban Council would have been unwise if they had not snapped up. In consideration of St.Annes continuing to lay a penny rate for higher education pur­poses the County Council have undertaken to provide the cost and future maintenance of the school.

Laying the foundation stone of the Technical School, St.Annes-on -the-Sea, 1906.

The need of a central building was greatly felt, and on representations be­ing made to the County Council, the Educa­tion Committee of that body came to our assistance and offered to erect a building on terms that the Urban Council would have been unwise if they had not snapped up. In consideration of St.Annes continuing to lay a penny rate for higher education pur­poses the County Council have undertaken to provide the cost and future maintenance of the school.

The building, which was de­signed by Mr. H. Littler, County Architect, is estimated to cost £6,000, with an additional £2,000 for furnishing. The contract was let to Mr. Thos. Cottam, of Preston. The foundation stone was laid by Coun. John Whiteside, J.P., on November 28th, 1906, in the presence of a large concourse of the pub­lic, and the speech-making was contributed by Coun. R. H. Irving (Chairman of the gathering and Chairman of St. Annes Higher Education Committee), Sir Henry Hibbertson (Chairman of the Education Committee of the County Council), Dr. Lloyd Snape (Director of Education), Mr. T. Loftus (Town Clerk of Blackpool), Coun. W. Thompson and Mr. G. W. Parkes. Coun. Whiteside who is seen in the photograph wearing his robes and chain of office, was presented with a silver trowel by Mr. H. Littler (the architect), and with a mallet by Mr. E. Sharrock (representing the contractor). A reception was afterwards held at the Carnegie Library by Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside, at which 250 guests were present.