Dame Julie Walters joins 150th anniversary celebrations at Kirdford and Plaistow primary school

The afternoon of celebrations included a plethora of activities and a 150 Years museum display including photographs, log book extracts and artefacts from all eras of both schools.

Festivities began with a rendition of the national anthem from Years 3 and 4 and a speech from headteacher Charlie King.

The children and guests then enjoyed a Victorian-inspired tea party banquet of assorted sandwiches followed by jam tarts and Swiss roll.

There was a performance of maypole dancing and a Victorian drill display from Year 6 students, and songs from the younger pupils.

Four Year 4 students then recited a poem from 1906 about an old schoolmaster at Kirdford called Jesse Goodacre.

The afternoon was rounded off by Year 5 performing a medley of songs through different eras, culminating in their self-written new school song.

Dame Julie cut the ribbon on a celebratory anniversary bench and cut a birthday cake for the school, and all present sang happy birthday.

Beryl High, who was previously a parent of a child at the school, described it as a ‘marvellous afternoon’. She said: “I will treasure the memory of it for the rest of my days.”