PUPILS, parents and teachers past and present are looking forward to celebrating the 150th birthday of St Mary's RC primary school in Broadway.

A party is being held in the school grounds on September 8 and invitations have been sent out far and wide.

It was 27-year-old passionist priest, Father Bernard O'Loughlin, who founded the school in the church grounds when he took charge of the parish of St Saviour's. Helped by local men he prepared the land himself on May 16, 1851, and the next day foundations were laid by local builder Willian Hensley.

The school was finished later that year on September 8 at the feast of Our Lady's Birthday, and was dedicated to St Mary and opened with a party for the children and their mothers.

Since then thousands of children have passed through its gates.

One former pupil, 86-year-old Mary Glaudot, still has memories of the school from 80 years go.

She said: "I enjoyed going to school, which my grandmother also attended. In those days there were only three rooms but we had a little stage where we used to perform our plays."

She said the school, with boys and girls aged from five to 14, had outside toilets in the playground that flushed automatically every so often.

Miss Glaudot said: "I had to spend sometime away from school because I was a very nervous child but when I came back the headmistress and her deputy were so kind. They gave me extra individual help."

Present head teacher, Jane Lavery said 80 pupils, aged from four to 11, now attend and the school five classrooms including a mobile, and the latest in technology teaching aids.

She said: "We know many people are looking forward to this very special reunion, including Miss Glaudot who still has fond memories of her school days."

Tickets for the 150th anniversary party can be obtained from school governors John Cohen on 01386 830412 and Mary Jo Dunsby on 01386 45241.