MORE than 300 former pupils of Carnforth High gathered to share their memories of the school at its 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday.

Former headmasters, head girls and PE teachers were among the visitors to the coffee morning held in the school hall.

Some people had travelled from as far away as France and the south of England to attend the event, organised by current head teacher John Shannon.

“Some of the original students from the first class of 1960 are here today and it has been lovely for people to see how the school is looking now,” he said.

“It is a day for sharing stories and there is a wonderful atmosphere.”

Former pupils enjoyed chatting to Paul Legon who was head between 1986 and 2006, and Geoff Lord, head between 1969 and 1985, and now in his late 80s.

David Kay, head of PE in the 1960s, was also popular with former pupils, reminiscing about his gruelling Kirkby Lonsdale to Carnforth relay race.

He said: “The lads were really good, I had great raw material.

"I really wanted to come today and it’s great to see the school still has that strong sporting element.”

Mr Kay went on to work as an athletics coach for the British team and attended the Munich Olympics.

The school’s first head girl Edna Fothergill (now Grah-am), of Bolton-le-Sands, said: “I don’t think I was a bossy head girl, not as bossy as I am now!

"I just loved school and really enjoyed it because we were the first class and it all felt very new.

“The girls did woodwork and the boys did cooking which was quite forward thinking for the time.”

Ann Walker, also of Bolton-le-Sands, who left in 1963, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed today. I was hoping to see Mr Taylor though, everyone had a crush on him!”

The day was also an important opportunity to preserve the school’s history and a copy of every photograph which was brought by former students was scanned into a computer.

Mr Shannon said: “It’s also been interesting to see where the former pupils have ended up.

“One surprise of the day was Diana Duke (nee Waters), who is now the private secretary to HRH Princess Alexandra and works in Buckingham palace.”

Other celebrations for the school’s 50th anniversary include the planting of five oak trees in the school ground, one to commemorate each decade.