On the 12th of August, the Friends of Worthington Park and Sale and District Lions Club had the pleasure of welcoming the direct descendants of Mary Worthington for the official unveiling of the Mary Worthington Lectern in Sale’s Worthington Park.
This Lectern complements the Blue Plaque installed on the 30th June 2025 recognising Mary’s philanthropy and her being the public benefactor responsible for the creation of Worthington Park, Worthington Primary School and other notable causes.
At the unveiling ceremony Helen McGlashan, Treasurer for the Friends of Worthington Park, spoke about the speech Alderman Morley gave when the Park was officially opened in June 1900.
Alderman Morley told those present he believed the Park would provide benefit not only for them but also to those in the future. He spoke about the children who were present growing up to be the men and women who would greatly benefit. He wished to express deep gratitude on behalf of all residents of Sale, for the generosity and bless the name of Mary Worthington for this magnificent inheritance.
The vision of the Friends of Worthington Park is “Worthington Park; a space with beauty, tranquillity and pleasure for all the community, at any time, in any season”.
This vision and Alderman Morley’s belief share the same gratitude for the way in which Worthington Park supports and enriches the life of the local, and wider, community. The Park has enabled so much over the years, and continues to do so; celebrations, coronations, jubilees, through the trying times of both world wars, and more recently a special place for escape during the Covid epidemic.
The Park has changed over the years, but it still held in great esteem and valued by all those who visit, those who volunteer their time and especially the children, our future generation.
None of this would have been possible without Mary Worthington’s philanthropic generosity with her being the benefactor who funded the creation of Worthington Park.
Mary was also heavily involved in Sale life. She judged competitions, hosted school children visits providing refreshments at her home Sale Old Hall and she formally opened Sale Library in March 1891. For many years she was a keen advocate for a day school in Sale Moor and took part in its management. This was Old Hall School, the School which Worthington Primary School replaced.
The Vision for the current day School sets out the belief all children possess unique gifts and qualities; as such they have the right to succeed, recognise their own greatness, and develop who they are in a respectful and caring environment. Like Mary they seek encourage a love of learning in everything the children do with their School moto being ‘We Only Reach for The Highest’ in the Worthy Way”.
When Mary passed away in 1904, her obituary stated she “was a considerable public benefactor, her support of movements with a philanthropic object was wholehearted and many institutions in Manchester will keenly feel her loss”.
Sale today has many legacies which we have Mary Worthington to thank for. The Worthington Park Lectern and Blue Plaque will ensure Mary Worthington’s name will never be forgotten receiving the deserved recognition for being such a magnificent benefactor and visionary.
Helen McGlashan, Treasurer, Friends of Worthington Park
Friends of Worthington Park 