Generations of families from Gunthorpe primary school come together to celebrate 50th birthday

Published: 06:00, 27 September 2024

Generations of families came together over the weekend to mark a village school’s golden year.

Gunthorpe Primary School’s present building had its 50th anniversary on Saturday (September 21), and past and current pupils were among those who came to celebrate.

Many former pupils who have attended Gunthorpe school came on the day, and two families were able to show their family trees which went back five generations of pupils who attended the school. Former staff members were also in attendance.

Head teacher Mel Brown cutting a birthday cake with pupils Seb Barrett, 10, and Jessie Lathan, 6.

Diane Skiobeck, Betty Everington, and Tony Everington, whose children attended Gunthorpe Primary school.

There were plenty of displays which showcased the school over the years, with documents and photos from the past 50 years on show.

The school itself has said to have been operating in some form in Gunthorpe for 150 years, and there were registers dating back to the 1920s for guests to peruse.

As well as enjoying plenty of refreshments and a chocolate tombola, guests also enjoyed a slice of the specially made cake to mark the occasion.

Ex pupils from left: Louise Barnham, Amy Lathan and Kirsty Barrett.

Ex pupils Rachel Townsend and Alice Townsend with mum Wendy Bartlett.

Eddie Johnson with daughter Philippa Johnson and grandaughter Ava Stevenson, three of five generations of the family who attended Gunthorpe Primary School.

Gunthorpe school’s office manager Emma Sanders said: “It was a really busy day and we had some great feedback from the community.

“It was a real celebration of our school and it was a fantastic day.”

Bingham Human Interest Newark Rachel Armitage