FORMER students of New College Worcester have returned to the school to share their memories at a jubilee day.

More than 300 people gathered to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the school for those who are blind or partially sighted.

The visitors enjoyed a street party style lunch, refreshments in a vintage tea tent along with a celebrity cricket match and musical performances.

The event was the start of a series of activities to celebrate the history of the school in Whittington Road.

Lorna Phillips, the school's marketing manager, said: "We all had a really fun day.

"We had over 300 people and the atmosphere was really good.

"We had live music, the cricket was hilarious.

"The commentary by one of our teachers was hilarious.

"It's was a bit chilly but thank goodness it was dry.

"Lots of people enjoyed chatting and catching up with their friends.

"One chap came from Israel where he lives now.

"It was a very successful day with lots of people sharing their memories."

People belonging to an association for the school's former students had organised a reunion to coincide with the event on the same weekend in April.

Mrs Phillips added: "There was the broadest age group of people.

"When people have been to school here they do hold it very close to their hearts.

"It's residential too so a massive part of their lives.

"A lot of people attribute their independence to having been here."

Other events planned to celebrate the anniversary this year include a summer concert, an oral history project involving current and former students and a Christmas concert in Worcester Cathedral.

The College dates back to 1866, when it was established as Worcester College for the ‘blind sons of gentlemen’ at the Commandery.

It later moved to Powick before coming to its present day site in 1902.

In 1944 it became a grammar school for blind boys and, in 1987, merged with Chorleywood College to form the co-educational, comprehensive RNIB New College Worcester.

The college is now an independent non-maintained special school.

The jubilee day took place on Friday, April 22.