Old and young open new block

A school’s oldest former pupil and its youngest schoolboy have opened a new part of the school that celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Former Ayscoughfee School pupil Ian Smith (90) helped cut the ribbon on the school’s new Infant Centenary Block on Friday (September 20).

He was joined by the school’s youngest pupil, Philip Sneath, who is aged three years and three months.

Mr Smith spoke of his time at the school, his memories of the Coronation in 1936 and of the journey he undertook alone, at just five years old, daily from Holbeach. He undertook the journey first by bus, and then steam train.

At the ceremony, past and present staff, pupils and governors, together with other invited guests, were welcomed by the headteacher, Clare Ogden, and treated to the whole school singing ‘Musical Memories’, accompanied, by a CD of past pupils who had recorded the number after a performance in Birmingham.

Mrs Ogden said: “The whole afternoon went brilliantly, and we were delighted that Ian and his brother Stuart could join us.

“The school is 100 years old this year, and we could think of no better way to start the celebrations than by the official opening of the new Infant Centenary Block.

“It is a great addition to the school and will, as Ian said in his speech, be a wonderful place for future generations of children to start their education.”