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WHO would ever have thought it — when this picture was taken in 1966, Colne Grammar School was riding high both on past history and on current achievement. Yet within less than a decade it was dead, killed off by the comprehensive system into which it just would not fit. Larger and more central premises were wanted.
In 1966, however, there were not many people who could see that day, certainly not the 400 or so boys and girls who were following in the footsteps of ex-pupils famous both locally and in some cases nationally. One or two of the staff members - could perhaps have had an inkling.
The school was founded possibly as long ago as the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and one of its pupils, John Tillotson, became Archbishop of Canterbury.
Despite its demise as a school, Colne Grammar could never be forgotten, either by former pupils or by the town of Colne whose leading citizens were educated there for generations.
And there is this consolation - its buildings and playing fields are still doing splendid service in providing accommodation for college classes and also as the venue for such organisations as the Pendle Music Centre.