Longfield Scissors
Longfield Scissors.
The Longfield Suite was opened in 1971. Canon Paton Williams cut the ribbon with a pair of silver scissors.
The scissors came up for sale earlier this year. They were bought by a new solicitor’s firm in Prestwich, NW Law. Naomi Wilson of NW Law has donated the scissors to the Heritage Society.
Naomi met with members of the Society Committee on Wednesday 7th September in the Heritage Museum. She handed over the scissors to the safekeeping of Chairman Jack Barrett in a simple ceremony.
The scissors themselves are in the presentation case with an inscription that reads, “Presented to The Rev Canon F. Paton-Williams M.A. to commemorate his opening the Longfield Suite, Prestwich – 17th November 1971.”
The scissors are hall-marked sterling silver. They were made by Deacon and Francis in Birmingham in 1919.
In his speech at the Opening Ceremony in 1971, Canon Paton-Williams said he had always wanted to see a Museum in Prestwich. Now we have one, the Heritage Museum in the Library. Fittingly Canon Paton-Williams scissors will probably be displayed there.
My sister and I (83 and 81, respectively) still remember The Reverend Canon F Paton-Williaams, with great affection, from our years during the 1940’s and early 1950’s, when we lived in Prestwich and attended St Mary’s: subsequently, he conducted my sister’s marriage ceremony at Mawdesley’s Parish Church
What a delightful and charismatic gentleman he was!
I wonder if you remember the Grand Colour Presentation that Canon Paton-Williams conducted at Belle Vue Stadium, Manchester, on Saturday, 20th July 1940?
The New Zealand fighter pilot “Cobber” Kain promised to present new Colours to the 174th (2nd Manchester) Squadron, Manchester Wing of the Air Defence Corps.
When he died, his fiancee, the actress Miss Joyce Phillips presented them in his stead.
Kain’s mother and sister watched from the grandstands, among thousands of spectators. They had arrived in the United Kingdom by ship from New Zealand only days before.
Miss Phillips, the lone woman among hundreds of officers and cadets taking part in the ceremony, calmly presented the Colours.
Canon Paton-Williams dedicated them to Flying Officer E. J. Kain D.D.C. “May they ever fly for victory.”
Miss Phillips talked with the senior officers, and then took the salute at the march past.
The Squadron laid the Colours in St. James-in-the-Birch, where they remained until removed before the demolition of the church.
Newspapers throughout the Commonwealth and the U.S.A. carried the story.
I would be fascinated to know your impressions of this once important event.