Pupils and staff at Milton Primary in Lesmahagow took their community on a journey through the decades as they celebrated the school’s centenary.
They staged a busy exhibition of hundreds of photos, scrapbooks and memorabilia from the past century, and invited families, local residents and friends of the school from throughout the years to a special community cafe celebration for a shared trip down memory lane.
Visitors were able to spot themselves in a vast selection of class photos, enjoyed home baking as they reminisced about their time at the school, and even saw a fondly-remembered memento saved from its distinctive previous building before the school moved into its current new-build premises in 2012.
Youngsters and staff have spent months preparing for the celebration of the school’s 100th anniversary year, collecting photos and items to illustrate its history and a dedicated “Milton 100” website being set up to share memories, pictures and artwork.
All classes took part in a walk around their local community, while pupil council members raised awareness of the celebrations with a leaflet drop around the village, and the school’s centenary choir entertained shoppers at the local Tesco with songs from across the decades.
Head teacher Lorna James, who led the community cafe preparations with principal teachers Gillian Prentice and Jaclyn Bunten, told how there was “a buzz around the school” as they opened the doors to generations of former pupils and staff to share their memories.
She said: “It was lovely to see lots of former pupils, staff, families and older members of the community come in and reminisce about their time at Milton Primary and for current families to share their experiences of our lovely school.
“There was a community cafe on the day with lots of home baking from families and donations from local businesses for our guests to share together.
“A lot of team work went into the event and we were delighted with how well our trip down memory lane was received by all visitors.”
Pupils enjoyed spotting their parents and relatives in class pictures from throughout the decades – and were joined by Ms James, who was able to show a picture of her mum Rita as a youngster at the school in 1958.
They also shared a celebration cake baked by a parent; as well as being able to show former pupils from the community a piece of history, in the form of an original bell from the former school building.
Fondly known as “the White School” after its distinctive exterior, the old building was home to Milton Primary for nearly eight decades from its opening in 1924 – closing and being demolished in 2010 with pupils being decanted to the former Woodpark Primary building for two years while the current building at Strathaven Road was constructed.
The old school bell, complete with key to operate it, was preserved by contractors Morgan Sindall and presented to staff and pupils when their new building opened 12 years ago and is now proudly mounted on the wall as a link to its history.
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