1906

The wonderful market building is still there in Preston!
Streetview: maps.app.goo.gl

Location Preston Market

www.preston.gov.uk

The newly elected Liberal government introduced the 1906 Education Bill to bring more state control over religious education in schools, favoring a non-denominational approach.
The Catholic community across England—with Lancashire and Preston showing a particularly strong, united front—vigorously opposed the bill. They argued it undermined the fundamental right to have distinct Catholic schools staffed by Catholic teachers for Catholic children.
Following massive public protests like this one and intense resistance from the Catholic Church, the bill was ultimately rejected by the House of Lords and never became law.

I wonder what they would make of our Educate Together Schools?

The meeting at the covered market took place on 20th May. The Lancashire Evening Post reported on it the next day. The article began:

CATHOLIC PROTEST.
THOUSANDS CONDEMN AN “ILLIBERAL AND TYRANNICAL” MEASURE
MEMORABLE DEMONSTRATION AT PRESTON.
Not within the religious life of Preston has there been such a remarkable demonstration as that made by the Catholics of the town yesterday in defence of their schools and in condemnation of the Government’s Education Bill. It is impossible accurately to gauge the numbers those who gathered under and near the Covered Market and within its neighbourhood. It was officially stated that there were 30,000 Catholics present, and this number wa.s swelled by the presence of thousands of others drawn by sympathy and curiosity.

While the demonstration was essentially Catholic, having been organised the local Catholic Parents’ Education League, it was voluntarily participated in by many adherents the Anglican Church, who, feeling that a common cause was being espoused, raised their voice in harmony in vigorously protesting against what they characterised as the Government’s attempt to confiscate their schools.

In the Preson Herald the estimate of the numbers of those present was 50,000.

There were processions with banners from each of the Catholic churches in the town, which converged at the covered market.

Rory Sherlock Suck Diesel Thank you both for the exact location in Preston.

Location of Wulzen Pharmacy from 1905 Sanborn map www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/s/x2d248

It was Saturday 4/8/1906 to be more precise than the year only date above. Read All About It ! - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28159915 including ... " ... The party then made its way to one of eastern platforms, where the special train for Parramatta was awaiting the signal to start. There was a large concourse of the public here to watch the first train draw out from the station, and in all about 200 people availed themselves of the opportunity to make the journey. On arrival at the train Mr. Oliver presented the Minister for Works with a gold guard's whistle and a small green flag, with a gold-mounted ebony handle, and requested him to give the signal for the start. Both the whistle and the flag bore the inscription: "Central Railway Station, Sydney, First train started by the Hon. C. A. Lee, Minister for Works, August 4th, 1906." Mr. Lee accepted the articles with expressions of thanks, and blew a prolonged blast with the whistle, and vigorously waved the flag. The train, driven by D. Moore and in charge of G. Douglas, the oldest driver and guard respectively in the service, then drew out from the station, amid much cheering. ... "

Attn. trainspotters etc - this article from the same page as above describes in detail how they worked overnight 4/5 August 1906 after the ceremony, to remove the tram loop at the old Redfern Station and put through the new lines to Central Station - fascinating! - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28159916