Bognor school recalls 40 years of memories

It's the Sixties again at a Bognor Regis school.

The celebrations for the 40th birthday of Edward Bryant Primary School will turn the clock back to the decade when it was formally opened.

Pupils will spend a week looking at some of the more momentous events of those years. These include the moon landing in 1969 and England's 1966 World Cup win.

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Former members of staff and pupils are also being invited to join in the fun.

Cathy Williams, the school's headteacher, said: "The school has grown such a lot over the years.

"It had about 200 pupils when I arrived 18 years ago and now there are 415. We are probably the biggest primary school around the town."

Between 70 and 80 staff, including 22 teachers, work there. The celebrations will be held just before the anniversary of the official opening on July 19, 1968, because the date is too close to the end of term.

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A giant birthday card will be in the school's reception from July 1. Any ex-members of staff or former pupils that would like to sign it are welcome to call in and add their names.

An open morning for those formerly involved with the school will be held from 9.30am on July 10. Anyone planning to go along should phone 01243 822454 for an invitation.

The next evening, July 11, sees a 40th birthday party in the school's London Road grounds. It will have a Sixties theme with plenty of music and entertainment from the era as well as clothes.

The school with its 240 pupils and headteacher Mr WN Archer was officially opened by Edward Bryant's widow, Winifred Bryant, on the fifth anniversary of his death.

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She was accompanied by her daughter, Peggy Bryant. Mr Bryant had been a prominent councillor in Bognor for decades. He was chairman of the then Bognor Regis Urban District Council between 1944-45 and for part of 1963.

When he died in 1963, fellow local county councillor Reginald Martin said a school in Mr Bryant's name would be the most fitting memorial to him.

The school dates from 1873 in Lyon Street and changed its name in 1964 before moving to its current site.

The only two reminders of Lyon Street School were its large bell and its emblem. The bell was on permanent display in the present school while the emblem of a lion forms the badge.

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