Youngsters agog at tales told by former pupils in their nineties (From Wharfedale Observer)

Youngsters agog at tales told by former pupils in their nineties

2:17pm Thursday 15th November 2007 in Schools By Annette McIntyre

They are separated by nine decades but there was a lot of common ground when the youngest pupil and the oldest former pupils of a Guiseley school got together.

Seven-year-old Freddie Lawson heard tales of how school used to be when he met 96-year-old Edith Flowers and 97-year-old Olive Brayshaw during a special open day at St Oswald's.

The three met after the school decided to get the oldest ex-pupil and youngest present-day pupil together to officially open its new ICT suite.

St Oswalds, which opened more than 400 years ago, staged the open day for the official opening and to give parents and former pupils the chance to look around.

And youngsters at the school got the chance to get a glimpse of how life used to be, with stories from former pupils and displays of old photos.

Anne Telford, from St Oswald's, said the event on Friday was a huge success: "It was a lovely day and we had quite a lot of ex-pupils turn up."

She said invited guests in the morning were treated to an assembly with a presentation by year 6 pupils.

She said: "We went to the ICT suite and Freddy cut the ribbon, and Edith was there as well. After that the guests had a wander round and looked at some of the photos."

The doors were thrown open to the general public in the afternoon and the school had a steady stream of visitors.

"We had an admission book out, and a lot of people found relatives listed in it. We actually had an admission for Edith in the admission book - she said it was a wonderful day. The kids were a credit to the school and she really enjoyed herself."

"I know when I spoke to Edith she said she had very happy memories of the school. She left when she was 14, but she hadn't wanted to leave. When she looked round she said how it had changed so much but it was still a lovely school."

"I think the children learned quite a lot about the history of the school - a lot of them were amazed that the toilets were outside."

Among the visitors was a former pupil and teacher whose father, William Brooke, had been headmaster from 1924 to 1956. His daughter, Ellen, told staff she had lovely memories of happy times at the school.