This account of the Whit Friday Bolton Catholic procession in Bolton is taken from the B.E.N. dated 8th June, 1906. <It was the general consensus of opinion amongst those who are in the habit of viewing the procession of Catholics in Bolton on Whit Friday that today's display eclipsed all previous efforts. Victoria Square was, as usual, the place of assembly, and when the processionists, numbering some 6,000 had assembled, the sight was one to be remembered. The sun shone most brilliantly down upon a scene bright and gay with all the colours of the rainbow, banners reflected in the sunlight many a face and form of favourite saints in the Catholic calendar, whilst streamers and flowers were fair and beautiful in the glory of a summer morning. The thousands of happy children dressed in colours and looking the pink of neatness, appeared happy enough in their gay apparel. Shortly after ten o'clock the band of St. Mary's struck up with the well-known hymn "Faith of our Fathers" led by Mr. J SMITH, choirmaster of SS Peter & Paul's who waved a flag from the Town Hall steps. Admirable time was kept by the assembled vocalists. A move was then made from the square, St. Mary's leading, and the route taken was along Cheapside, Great Moor St, Bradshawgate, Deansgate, Bridge St, St. George's Rd, to Marsden Rd, returning down St. George's Rd, Knowsley St, back to their respective schools. Below we give details of the various schools: ST. MARY's The post of honour this year was occupied by St. Mary's, who made a most effective display as they entered the Square via Oxford St. The procession was headed by St. Mary's Brass Band and by a large crucifix bearing a figure of Our Lord, followed by the Revd. W L FOWLER (rector), J CALLOWAY (the marshal) and J ROCHE. A pretty floral motto was that of "Our Lady, help of Christians, protect our schools" streamed by ten little boys in white suits. Young ladies in pale blue dresses and with blue flowers in their hair guided the leading banner, under the shadow of which came the queen, Miss ELLEN KELLY, whose train was borne by Misses M M GLYNN, F NOLAN, M IRELAND, and A PEACOCK. Master ANDREW McGARRY was the earl marshal and the little guardsmen were J MARSH, J COUGHLIN, E QUEGAN, E BARRETT, J WRIGHT, H CONROY, T MURPHY and J GRIMES and these were succeeded by a further guard of fifty small boys in white suits and Turk caps. Many little girls, in blue dresses and white bonnets, preceded the Blessed Sacrament Banner streamed by eight girls in white and gold; junior girls wearing pink and green. A dozen girls wearing green cloaks attended to the banner of St. Agnes and after the Children of Mary's Banner came one of the outstanding features of the procession, a statue of the Virgin, in a floral arbour. The confraternity of the Holy Family (Women's) was headed by their banner, which was accompanied by Miss MARGARET MARY LUCAS, the ex-queen, and her attendants, the banner being streamed bv young ladies, dressed in white silks and having sprays of roses in their hair. Laymen accompanying included Messrs. T PICKLES, E J DUFFY, R McMANUS, J McGARRY, J O'BRIEN, J GERRARD, P L BRODRICK, P SWARBRICK and W RICE.> More to follow, including St. Edmunds, St. Patrick's, SS Peter & Paul's & Church of the Holy Infant. To see pictures of a Whit Procession in the 1920's please click on http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~boltongenealogy/photogallery5.htm (photos kindly supplied by Joyce Lennard). Valerie