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| Pocklington's Catholic Heritage |
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| An illustrated talk by Phil Gilbank in Pocklington Church on Friday 24th February, 2016 at 7.30pm.
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 An illustrated talk on Pocklington's notable Catholic heritage will be held in the rather different setting of the town's All Saints Anglican church next Friday (24 February) in aid of St Mary and St Joseph RC Primary School's development fund.
Entitled 'From Elizabethan Martyrs to Archbishop Ullathorne - Pocklingtons remarkable Catholic heritage', the talk will outline key people and events from the Tudor reformation through to the early 20th century.
The talk has been organised by school governor Rowan Blake-James, who explained: "We have a little, flourishing and happy Catholic primary school in Pocklington. It was built in the 1960s when there were less than 50 pupils on the roll, now its grown to just over 100 from ages four to 11.
"Our school is 'Voluntary Aided' which means that although it is state funded the school and parish community has to raise 10% of any capital expenditure, that includes any money spent on the building, the playground, the boiler, the list goes on and on. As you can imagine, the raising of funds is a constant, on-going need, but our real dream is for a new school hall.
"We are still a long way off raising the money, so every event, such as the talk on 24 February, is a step in the right direction."
For centuries Pocklington was something of a Catholic stronghold, though the local Catholics often had to practice in secret. Several were heavily punished for their beliefs - the Dolman family's adherence to 'the old faith' was instrumental in their fall from being Pocklington's richest family into bankruptcy - with other locals arrested and executed under Queen Elizabeth I for supporting the Catholic cause.
The undercover activities continued until the 1790s, and the local story includes underground 'priest holes', further arrests for treason, and the Pocklington's Catholic church being boosted by arrivals from France and Ireland.
Pocklington also produced an international figure in the 19th century. William Ullathorne, born in Pocklington Market Place in 1806, became a Catholic priest working amongst the penal colonies in Australia before returning to England to lead the campaign against the transportation of convicts 'Down Under'. Today his remarkable life is better known in Australia than his home town, but next Friday will attempt to put that right.
The talk will be given by local historian, Phil Gilbank, who added: "I was delighted to be asked to talk about Pocklington's rich Catholic heritage; and its great that Father Michael Sellers, from St Mary and St Joseph, and Rev Geoff Hollingsworth, from All Saints, have agreed to the talk being held in All Saints as the building has so many links to the town's Catholic past that enrich the story."
Tickets, £5 including a glass of wine and refreshments, are available from the Catholic school reception, from the All Saints church office, from Rowan Blake-James tel: 01759 302519, or at the door on the night. |
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