Four decades of memories

If so, its current headteacher wants to hear from you.

The Soothill school is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and as part of the birthday celebrations, teachers and pupils are planning a walk down memory lane.

Its current classes are planning to research school life in the 1970s.

Staff members and pupils from the years 1970 to 2000 are also being invited to two special tours of the school to see how it has changed.

Headteacher Judith Hopwood said: "I'm hoping to put up a big plan of the school with the classrooms as they are now and then people who used to come here when it first opened could come and write down their memories and stick them on that particular room."

And any former pupils or staff who have photographs from their time at the school are being encouraged to submit them for inclusion in a special display.

Lydgate Primary School, as it was first known, was formally opened on March 7 1970 by County Alderman Mrs L Fitzpatrick. The school choir sang two songs and a group presented an excerpt from Androcles and the Lion.

The Rev K C Grain, vicar of Hanging Heaton, said the prayer of dedication and those assembled sang two hymns. Here we reproduce two photographs from the booklet printed to mark the formal opening.

One shows the exterior of the new school in 1970 and another shows a bustling classroom.

To book a place on one of the school tours, planned for March 1 and March 3, phone the school on 01924 326714.

And if you would like to submit photographs of school life from years gone by, email them to [email protected] or post them to Lydgate Junior and Infant School, Lydgate Road, Batley, WF17 6EY.

Submissions must be received by Monday February 22.