MEMORIES of school days from years gone by came flooding back at a special tea party at Wincham Community Primary School.

The ‘School Memories’ event was aimed at finding out more about the history of the school, which is 120 years old this year.

Residents who came along brought photographs from their time at the school, some from as far back as the 1940s.

“The event was my attempt to find out more about our school history, as despite the fact that the school has been in existence since 1896 we have very little with regards to artefacts and photos,” said head teacher Diane Palin.

“Our school is 120 years old this year, and also 40 years on the current site, as the ‘New’ School was opened in 1976.

“We want to celebrate these two occasions, and have asked the families of Wincham and Pickmere, which the school serves, for ideas on what we should do to celebrate.”

Margaret Astles brought in a photograph of her great grandfather Thomas Hayes, who Mrs Palin said was a Wincham resident who worked on the building of the old school in the 1890s.

“His great granddaughter shared this fact with us, and supplied the school with his photo to keep and one of herself and her brother when they came to Wincham School, then known as St Andrews C of E Primary School,” said Mrs Palin.

“What was evident from the event was that generations after generations - parents, grandparents and great grandparents - have started their learning journey at Wincham.

“This is still the case today, as we have children at this school now whose parents and grandparents once attended this school.

“The event was a great start for us to begin to piece together our school history and learn about the people who influenced the school as we know it today.”

The school is inviting former pupils to join in a planned celebration weekend on September 21 to 23.

Information will be available on the school’s website and facebook, or by contacting the school on 01606 288060 to register people’s interest.