Generations return with memories of school century
VETERAN pupil Celia Millington stepped back 85 years to help her primary school celebrate its 100th birthday.
The 90-year-old was among scores of former pupils, parents and residents at Butt Lane's Reginald Mitchell Primary School yesterday for the milestone anniversary.
Mrs Millington, of Old Butt Lane, Butt Lane, who is the oldest surviving pupil known to the school, joined the youngest member Abbie Broadhurst, aged four.
The retired dress maker, who started in 1923, said: "The school looks very different to when I was here. It looks a lot bigger and a lot cleaner. I was quite happy here. The teachers were very nice but also very strict.
"There we no school dinners like there are nowadays. We used to go home to eat.
Mrs Millington's daughter Gill Cotterill, also went to the school from 1952, along with children Mark, aged 38, and Simon, aged 35.
Simon also did work experience at the school before going on to become a teacher at Crackley Bank Primary School.
Mrs Cotterill, of Lawton Heath Road, Church Lawton, said: "It has always been a fantastic school. I remember at one stage when I was here there were so many children that wanted to come here there was not enough room and we had to use the local Sunday school."
The school, which moved to its current location in 1909, was originally called Butt Lane Primary School.
It changed its name in 1959 to commemorate the famous Spitfire designer who lived just yards away on Congleton Road until he was three years old.
Memorabilia on display yesterday included school log books dating back to 1909, reports from every head teacher from the last 100 years, photographs and newspaper cuttings.
Headteacher Alan Stancliffe said there had been a fantastic response to an appeal for former pupils to come forward to help celebrate the birthday.
He said: "This school is a very community-based school and I want that to continue.
"I think it is important for pupils from different eras of the school's life to come together to celebrate what it has achieved.
"Current students are giving guided tours to former pupils so there will be lots of times for sharing memories."
Sheila Gibson, of Burnaby Road, Sandyford, attended the school in 1954.
The 60-year-old, who went on to Kidsgrove Grammar School before working for social services, said: "It has always been a small community school with a lovely atmosphere. I have very fond memories."
Her mother Hilda Gibson, aged 85, of Mitchell Drive, Talke, said: "I thought it was always a very safe school. My son Philip, who now runs his own company in South Wales, also came here. I think my children had a good education."
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