I cannot write a history of our Theatre without reference to this date. Although I was the sole actor on this stage for this production, and naturally I was filled with pride and overwhelmed with emotion, I never felt anything else but that I, in my person, represented the Theatre from its youngest member to its oldest; from the timid onlooker who had watched when others were doing, to the veteran who has perhaps helped in all the departments of our organisation.

The first news of this event arrived on the 4th April 1963. I was leaving my form room, en route for the Staff Room and a cup of tea, when my colleague who was on yard duty meet me. Handing me a letter, he said, 'I think you must have missed this at nine o'clock.'

Printed on the envelope were the words, 'University of Manchester' and underneath the word 'Confidential' was typewritten.

Thinking it was the normal request for a e report on a student who had been doing his teaching practice with us I casually opened it on my way upstairs. I read as follows:

From

I have much pleasure in writing to inform you that the Council and Senate propose to ask the Court of the University, at its meeting on May 15th, to authorise the conferment upon you of the Degree of Master of Arts (honoris causa).

It is proposed that the Degree should be conferred at the Degree Ceremony to be held on the morning of Thursday July 11th. I shall be glad if it is possible for you to make arrangements to keep this date free so that you could be present at the ceremony on the occasion to receive the Degree.

Will you kindly regard this information as strictly confidential until the Court has approved the recommendation? As soon as this has been done, I will communicate with you again.

Yours sincerely,

W. Mansfield Cooper

I mean it literally when I say my heart missed a beat. I had never experienced such a shock. The whole thing was as the proverbial bolt from the blue.

My wife was in hospital at the time, having just had an operation. The shock of my news must have appeared on my face, because immediately I entered the Staff Room, my colleagues just stared open -mouthed. One said, 'Have you had bad news from the hospital?'

I was so shaken, that for a moment I did nothing but stand there gasping like a fish. Eventually I managed to blurt out, 'NO, thanks, actually it's not bad news, but very good news.' Naturally they wanted to know what it was. I told them that at the moment I could not satisfy their curiosity, but promised to do so as soon as I was able.

The bell went, I was still standing there bemused. Alan, our Science master said, 'I think I'd sit down a minute.'

He poured out a cup of tea, and handed it to me saying, 'Is it bad news?'

I looked at him and said, 'Well, I know you can keep a secret, and if I don't tell someone, I think I'll burst.' I handed the letter to him.

Silently he read it, then thrusting out his hand, he heartily shook mine, saying as he did so, 'Well, recognition at last!'

Naturally, that night, when I broke the news to my wife, she was overjoyed. We could not really believe it.

Of course I was proud of the great honour, but what thrilled me most was the public acknowledgement of the value of the work of Children's Theatre. This fact made the whole thing stupendous. I was agog to tell my fellow workers, and the children, but this had to wait.

In due course I received the confirmatory letter and the news leaked out. The first public mention came on the evening of May 15th. It was the opening night of The Snow Queen. When the press came to discuss the play at the first interval, one of the reporters offered his congratulations, saying they had received news of the award just before he had left the offices of the paper. I was able to tell my colleagues an the cast that evening.

I was overwhelmed by telephone messages, personal calls, letters, postcards and telegrams. I was very deeply touched by these manifestations of joy in my good fortune.

One of my friends, meeting a councillor, asked the latter if he did not consider this bit of news wonderful, received the answer, 'Oh yes, but it makes one wonder if Mr Holland neglects his job.' Ah, well, such is the world.

Our school was given a day's holiday on July 11th. For once I was very popular.

The ceremony itself was an unforgettable experience. I was allowed a small party of friends to watch the proceedings. I invited some of my friends who had been closely associated with me in the Theatre, in the Educational world, and in the Chester Diocese, where for many years I had lectured at summer schools. Among these friends I included one of the school prefects, David Ward, who was also a member of the Theatre.

I was presented to the late Lord Woolton, the Chancellor of the University, by Professor R. A. C. Oliver, Sarah Fielden Professor of Education, and Director of the Department of Education at Manchester University, who, on presentation made the following speech, which I think is more than worthy to be included here.

'My Lord Chancellor,

'Here is a teacher, a man of whom Browning might have been prophetically writing in The Pied Piper of Hamelin.

"He advanced to the Council table;

And, 'Please your honours,' said he, 'I'm able

By means of a secret charm to draw

All creatures living beneath the sun

After me as you never saw.' "

'The children of Stretford who follow him could say with the child in the poem:

"He led us to a joyous land,

Joining the town, and just at hand."

His "secret charm" is his love of children and the theatre. Like the Pied Piper, he has been somewhat stinted of guilders but this has not daunted the creator of the Stretford Children's Theatre. By means of financial expedients neglected on Broadway and in the West End, such as Bring and Buy Sales, Beetle Drives, and the vending of tuck, he has contrived to run his Theatre with less resounding losses than many a metropolitan theatre manager, and at a higher artistic profit than some.

'He has an eye for talent, and some of his juvenile players have gone on to distinguish themselves on the professional boards. But he is not dependent on the genius of the born actor, he discovers, nay, creates talent in the ordinary boy or girl. To his children "the play's the thing", "they have their exits and their entrances", and blossoming in the warmth of his enthusiasm, " in the two hours' traffic of the stage", young boys and girls are level now with men.

'His family of three hundred children is a happy one, but they are not more happy than he. He needs, my Lord, no reward, for with him love's labour is not lost; but we would give ourselves the satisfaction of honouring him.

'My Lord and Chancellor, on behalf of the University I present to you, Bert Holland for the degree of Master of Arts, honoris causa.'

As Professor Oliver put my hand into that of the Lord Chancellor, I could not have uttered a word had I been required to do so.

Lord Woolton shook my hand, and in a few well-chosen words, welcomed me into the ranks of the distinguished; I could not see him for the mist which descended. I murmured my thanks, bowed, and stumbled down the steps back to my seat. I was only faintly conscious of the acclamation accorded to me as I sat down. Never in my life before had I been so deeply affected.

It was most interesting to me that another recipient of the Honorary Degree with me that day was another theatre lover. He has also founded a theatre though of another kind. This was Mr (now Sir) Nicholas Thomas Sekers, who founded a silk mill and the Rosehill Theatre Trust in Cumberland.

The general attitude of my colleagues and the people in Stretford, who had known me many years, was of pleasure. The world being what it is, certain people openly expressed disapproval. This attitude will, I fear, always be present when something pleasant happens. I can never understand why such people prefer to coin discord rather than circulate happiness.

I have never ceased to marvel at the honour bestowed upon me by the University of Manchester. It is my proudest possession.

When I see the delight shining on the faces of the cast when they are totally absorbed in a production, I thank God the Theatre has been instrumental in fanning the flame of their spiritual perceptiveness. To have been granted the opportunity to do this is a great reward for all the effort we have made in this jungle world.