Providing historic information &
images about Colton and surrounding areas.
The Old Buildings of Colton
Colton Primary School (1876-2005)
Colton Board School opened on the 25th September
1876, the Headmaster was Mr. Joseph Owrid, the school had 82 pupils
& had only two rooms. The school had another building next to
it called the Master's house (which can be seen on the photograph
above), this was demolished in 1971.
The site of the school was on the East side
of an occupation road running from the Selby Turnpike Road into
Colton, next to the cottages known as Taylor's Row, now known as
New Row. This occupation road was originally known as Common Side
Lane on maps around 1830, but is now better known as School Lane.
In 1887 the school installed gas lighting,
in 1895 the schoolroom windows were enlarged, Leeds water was connected
& there was a new room built to the north of the school.
In 1896 seven horse chestnut trees were planted,
more trees were planted in the coming years & children planted
a flower border down the side of the wall. The playground was asphalted
in 1906 to cover red engine ash.
In 1973, the school became a primary School,
re-named Colton Templenewsam Primary School & taught children
aged 5 to 9 years only.
Also in 1973 thieves stripped the lead from
the spire & cross from the top of the school & subsequently
the tower was deemed to be unsafe & removed.
The school eventually closed in 1992 &
has been steadily decaying ever since, which included slate roof
tiles being stolen in 2003.
Recent plans
to demolish the school in order to build flats & houses on the
site have been submitted.
You can read more
about Colton School from Peter C. Harper's book 'Colton School'
which can be found in Halton Library.
Colton Institute (1896-)
The original Colton Institute was built as
a Sunday School by Tomlinsons builders for a cost of £211-1-11
in 1896.
Five trustees were appointed, of which one
was the Vicar of Whitkirk & the annual fee was to be one shilling
to be paid to the vicar. The building was originally used by men
& youths playing billiards on weekdays. On Sunday the Institute
was used as a Sunday School.
After the First World War is was decided
that the Institute should be larger in order to accommodate more
people (including women!) & so, in 1922, a wooden building was
fetched from Barnbow on a wagon pulled by 2 horses and assembled
on the site.
Soon the Institute became the focal point
of the whole village, bringing rise to cricket, football & tennis
clubs & hosted many social events such as dancing and whist
drives.
In the early 1950's the building was modernised
at great expense including installing flush toilets and additional
gas fires.
In 1975, villagers met in the Institute &
as a result the Colton Preservation Society was formed. The original
members were: Mr Ron Sutherland (agent to Lord Halifax), Bob Paxton,
Denys Brierly, Alan Simpson, Peter Shires, Colin Gibson and Maurice
Terry.
To this day the Institute remains a focal
point for local meetings in Colton including hosting children's
playgroups and parties.
You can read more about Colton Institute from
Margeret Suttenstalls book 'Colton Institute 1896-1984' which can
be found in Halton Library.
Colton Methodist Church (1832-)
Photo above: Colton Methodist Church 2003.
Although that it is certain that Methodist
Worship in Colton began before 1832, the first actual record of
a Chapel in is in a Trust Deed dated 23rd January, 1832, between
the Trustees of Colton Methodist Chapel, Thomas King & his wife
Hannah and the Lady of the Manor.
The Chapel was built on an orchard owned
by a miner called Thomas King. The site was just 9 yards square.
The Chapel was opened by William (Billy)
Dawson, a man once described as the most popular preacher in Methodism
& his work was responsible for establishing Methodism In Colton.
A memorial to him can be found in Barwick Methodist Church.
As Methodism grew stronger, it was realised
that a larger building was required. A committee was formed &
it was decided to build a new chapel on the land next to the existing
Chapel. The new Chapel opened on the 18th July, 1867 by Rev. W.O.
Simpson of London at a cost of £479.1.9.
Photo above: A Group
of Church Workers at Colton Centenary.
Legend on photo:
Rev. W and Mrs Rhodes, Mr and Mrs Ellingworth, Mr John E. Crosthwaite,
Mr Broome, Mr Townend, Mr Richardson, Mr and Mrs Wainwright, Mrs
Johnson, Mrs Davies, Misses Hague & Parkin, Mrs Harris and others.
Paraffin lamps were installed in 1869 to
light the Chapel & Vestry, an organ was purchased in 1868 &
a porch was erected in 1871 to stop draughts.
After the First World War, funds were raised
to pay for major alterations to the interior of the church. These
included bringing the pulpit forward in order to install a new organ
on the platform behind it. The old organ was presented to blacksmith,
Mr. Joseph Townend, who had been the organist at the church for
63 years.
In 1925 the Chapel was granted a licence
to solemnize marriages.
Around the time of the Second World War,
subsidence was a major problem for the church, affected by heavy
mining in the area. The collieries & the National Coal Board
assisted in the repair & re-decoration of the church.
Despite suggestions to re-site the church
in 1951, Colton Methodist church continued to thrive. The pulpit
was moved again in 1953 & a new pipe organ was installed. In
1973 a large cross was erected to identify the church as a centre
for Christian Worship. (As seen in photograph below)
 
Photos above: Colton Methodist Church 1983
just before it was demolished to make way for the new church building.*
The 150th Anniversary of the church was celebrated
in 1982.
To this day Colton Methodist church remains
the central place of worship in the village and epitomizes Colton
community spirit.
You can find more photographs of the church
in Colton Photographs
You can read more about Colton Methodist Church
from David Livingstone's book 'Colton Methodist Church 1832-1982'
which can be found in Halton Library.
* Photographs kindly supplied by Frank Binks.
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