THE past and present have come together to look to the future at a week-long series of events to commemorate Bewdley High School's 50th anni-versary.

Celebrations were rounded off in style with a gala dinner and dance event, featuring entertainment from former pupil, Chris Key, who has appeared in the hit musical, Les Miserables.

A special visitor was invited by the organisers to unveil a plaque marking the Stourport Road school's golden milestone in front of the 180 audience, which included Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor.

Vera Milsom, the first student to be registered on the roll of Bewdley County Secondary School, as it was then known, made the 60-mile round trip from her Warwickshire home after being given the honour.

The former Wribbenhall resident, who has lived in Henley-in-Arden for the last 18 years with her husband, Chris, said the call from the school "came right out of the blue".

The 65-year-old, known by her maiden name Baker when at the school, explained: "I could not quite believe it when they told me about it. It was a very nice thing to be asked to do.

"It was the first time I have been back there since I left 50 years ago. It has been that long I cannot really remember anything about my days there.

"My year was only at the school from the Easter until the summer, so it just a matter of months before I left."

The future of the school also came into view during the celebrations when the ribbon was officially cut to a new £1.8 million art, design and technology block.

David Derbyshire, headteacher for more than four years, said the festivities had "created a buzz" among staff and pupils.

He added: "There was a great deal of excitement in the air during the week because we had our annual awards evening, the official opening of the new art, design and technology block and the gala dinner.

"It was great to see pupils and staff from the past and present come together to mark the occasion.

"The whole feeling behind everything was remembering the history and looking towards the future of the school."

The next academic year, starting in September, will be the last for Bewdley High School in its present form before the site houses the town's new secondary school, brought about by the Wyre Forest Schools review changes.