STAFF and pupils past and present took a trip down memory lane as a Bury primary school celebrated its 80-year history.

More than 50 people attended the special event at East Ward Primary School, with former pupils returning to the site to 'remember the good old days'.

The day involved a buffet lunch and medley performance by the school choir — the highlight being the entire gathering holding hands and singing along to Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again.

During the visit, former pupils enjoyed a tour of the school as well as a look back through some of the old log books and punishment books.

Headteacher David Waites said: "Welcoming our ex-pupils and staff back to the school was a wonderful occasion.

"The site was opened as a community school and it was a very fitting climax to our birthday celebrations to open our doors to the East Ward ex-alumni — East Ward is still at the heart of the community."

The school, formerly known as East Ward Council Junior School, was officially opened on Thursday, December 29, 1938, when there were 243 children and seven members of staff.

The school continued to stay open during the Second World War but was affected in many ways, including having its own air raid shelter built.

Visitor and ex-pupil Kath Stretton spotted her brother's name in the punishment book for playing in the air raid shelters in 1948.

She said: "I wish to thank the whole school for putting together the 80th anniversary celebrations. I really enjoyed my tour of the school and your school choir was excellent.

"I particularly enjoyed looking at the punishment book and finding my brother's name there. He didn't tell me about that. I took a photo and sent it to him."

Former pupil Glennis Edge Rushworth said she was thrilled to find her own, her brother's and her mother's names in the school record book.

The log book shows that, during the 1960s, a boy was excluded for having a dirty beard. It also says there were several unsuccessful break-ins at the site, and an attempt to put several fireworks through the school letterbox.

To mark the 80th birthday, a member of staff made a cake for the celebrations on Thursday, July 12.

Ex-pupil Janis Taylor, who attended the event, said: "It was a great afternoon. I had plenty of memories flooding back.

"Thank you to all the staff and the kids for the welcome and for all the hard work they put into it.

"It was a treat and a good nostalgia day."