ARE there any ex-pupils of Haslingden’s old three-in-one school who remember the head caretaker Fred Wilkinson?

This picture, taken from our archives, shows him with three young friends on his retirement in 1969.

They are, from left, Amanda Toland, five, of Lime Avenue, 10-year-old Lynn Williams, of Deardengate, and Karen Smith, six, of Bury Road.

The story is that when the secondary, primary and infant pupils heard he was leaving after 12 years they held secret collections to buy him presents. The younger children clubbed together to buy an electric blanket, while staff bought him other household items.

Senior pupils joined in with staff to present a cheque. The then primary school headmaster Mr W Fenwick said: “All the children liked him a lot and this was their way to say thankyou.”

Mr Wilkinson, of Bury Road, Haslingden, became assistant caretaker of the three schools, housed in one big building in Ryefield Avenue, in 1957 and was promoted four years later. He had a lifelong connection with the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Fred was also a member of the Special Police Constabulary for 27 years, until he retired in 1967 as a sergeant.