“It is no good lauding Sir John Percyvale”

One of our readers has written in about the proposed demolition of the King’s School cricket pavilion.

King’s, the independent school which has occupied these buildings for 50 years or so, made a choice to take upon itself 500 years of History. Indeed, it recently celebrated its quincentenary. However, when you take upon yourself the previous schools’ histories in this way, it brings responsibilities.

It is no good lauding Sir John Percyvale and so on, if you then disregard aspects of the Great War. Many Macclesfield Grammar boys were lost, and they are commemorated by the Memorial Board in the School Hall, and equally by the Pavilion in the grounds. The Second War sadly brought more names. 

I don’t see as how it is possible to cherry-pick your way through a history you have chosen to incorporate into your own history and ethos. How is it possible to choose which aspects you will promote and foster, and which you will not? The Headmaster, Dr Hyde, is himself a Historian.

I can’t make head or tail of Dr Hyde’s explanation and alternatives. Can you?  It’s Alice in Wonderland land isn’t it? “That’s not a regular rule” says Alice to the King, “you invented it just now.”  Are “we all mad here”? as the Cat says, and yes, it is a Cheshire Cat! It is just completely and indisputably WRONG to demolish and scrap a War Memorial. That’s the beginning and the end of it, isn’t it? 

When you look at the planners’ proposal, it is transparent that the removal of the pavilion is necessary for the building of the new stuff, and the putting in of a new road round the side. (btw, isn’t it amazing how much housing is to be crammed in? Those houses on the east side are almost jumping over the wall.) In fact the problem caused by the Pavilion’s honourable and doughty presence is so in-your-face, that to attempt to explain it away is almost comic. 

It’s True. It’s Worthy. It stands as a silent reminder of those brave souls who fought for King and Country, and who did not return. What is the issue with that? The centenary of the Great War is only just past. I’m proud of those who went to war. Aren’t we all? and if we aren’t, is there something wrong?

I concur with the Civic Society. “Disgrace” is the right term here, and to that I would add “shame” in the proper sense of the word.

Civic Society challenge King’s cricket pavilion demolition