Hundreds mark changes for three Shropshire schools

There was nostalgia, celebration and sadness as three primary schools in Shropshire marked the end of an era.

Hopton Wafers Primary School, near Cleobury Mortimer, and Maesbury, near Oswestry, will close their doors for the last time in three weeks, under Shropshire Council re-organisation plans. Shawbury Primary School will be merged with the village's St Mary's School.

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To mark the occasion, more than 200 people descended on the 149-year-old village school in Hopton Wafers for an afternoon of fun for the youngsters and nostalgia for the adults on Saturday.

An exhibition of photographs and memorabilia dating back over a century was on display delighting visitors of all ages.

Although the school has just five pupils left, four in Year Six and one in Year Five, scores more, young and old returned for the day.

Headteacher Sian Hawes, said: "We have always had a school fair and this was our annual event. The only difference was that this year we were not raising funds for the school as we have in years past."

At Shawbury organisers wanted pupils, parents and staff from both the primary and St Mary's to enjoy a day of fun, without having to man stalls and attractions.

The event was held at the village school where the new 'St Mary's' will be built. Parent Angela Roberts said: "Until then there will be two campuses with children bussed between the two to ensure that they mix classes up during the year."

Parent Sarah Allman said: "It will be good for Shawbury to bring the schools onto one site."

Acting head at the primary school, David Martin, said there had been a lot of interest in the three-dimensional drawings of the new school building and in the old scrapbooks and photographs on display.

In Maesbury pupils, supporters, governors and staff took part in the primary school's 89th birthday party on Saturday

Rosemary Finney, headteacher, said: "We had about 250 people attend and it was a really nice atmosphere."

The school first opened in 1923 and 95-year-old Alice Gaffney was one of its first pupils. She said: "I came when I was six years old. They never liked you to be late."

By Sue Austin