THREE generations of schoolchildren, past and present, joined in the 1999 celebrations for the 150th anniversary of St George's School, Barrow.

A Victorian day was organised to mark the birthday of the oldest school in the town.

The Mail, on Wednesday, September 8, noted: "Elegant Victorian costumes sashayed through the corridors with both teachers and pupils in full regalia.

"Past pupils enjoyed a stroll down memory lane while children aged from four to 11 had a rare glimpse of how the school would have looked when their great-grandparents attended.

"The school has since expanded from its original three-room building to accommodate nursery and infant children.

"St George's Church has always played an important part in the life of the school and visitors enjoyed a service of Victorian songs in the church hall with an address by the Bishop of Penrith."

Head teacher June Ireland said: "A large number of ex-pupils came to the anniversary and lots of the parents visited the school at different times during the day."

The was an outdoor lunch with a birthday cake and accordion music from Mike Willoughby.

And youngsters got to try out a range of the games which pupils of the late 1840s and 1850s might have enjoyed, including skipping.

This was an era when education for almost all children ended at 14 with a move to apprenticeships or full-time employment.

Youngest pupil Sarah Carroll, aged five, presented a basket of flowers to oldest ex-pupil Dorothy Stevenson, 89.

An engraved glass was presented to Margaret Brierley who had taught at the school for 25 years.

Two children from each class was given a commemorative mug for being the best-dressed children in their year.