1919-1938: The Liverpool Physical Training College (LPTC)

In 1919, the Liverpool Physical Training College moved to its iconic campus on Barkhill Road in Mossley Hill with about 120 students now in attendance, and all activities apart from rowing and horse riding now based at one site. Additional arrangements were also made for remedial classes, including allowing students to attend clinics at the local hospitals, with veterans of WW1 visiting the College as patients for treatment. Students could also now sit for examinations of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

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The College became a social hub for many students, regarded by each other as members of a large ‘family’ with Irené Mabel Marsh was always referred to as “Mums.” Another important teacher at the College during this period was Kathleen M Henderson, who had studied under March 1902-1904, before quickly becoming Assistant Principal in 1905, later Vice Principal. Henderson and Marsh were known as ‘life companions’ to Marsh’s family, with Henderson known fondly as ‘Aunty Kathleen.’ The pair built a wooden holiday home together in Abersoch, Wales, called affectionately ‘The Shanty’ at which Marsh’s family and students from the College would often stay over the summer.

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Marsh and Henderson were also known for wearing costumes and disguises around campus, including fancy dress swimming galas, dances, and dressing up as 'two old ladies' to observe classes without making students too nervous to assess properly.

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