Oldest pupil honours special Bolsterstone event

Date: 10/05/2012. Story submitted by: SuzanneRutter

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A school’s oldest former pupil has played a special part in an historic event to celebrate more than 300 years of education in a tiny Sheffield village – at the age of 97.

Marjorie Hirst unveiled a commemorative plaque dedicated to the Free School founded in 1686 in Bolsterstone and also the National School which first opened its doors in 1852. The two schools became one in 1886 and closed in 1992.

And now plans are being made for a Bolsterstone School Picnic Reunion in July, with organisers hoping for a big turnout from anyone who has ever been associated with Bolsterstone School.

Mrs Hirst was greeted with a round of applause when she stepped forward to unveil the plaque, the brainchild of former teacher Dorothy Kirbyshaw, who formed a working party to organise the plaque and also the July picnic.

Mrs Kirbyshaw welcomed guests and, in a brief history of the school, mentioned those who had played a significant part in its development over the years.

Two of the school’s youngest pupils, Lee Dawson and Christopher Brearley, joined the celebration. Guests also included Martin Brelsford, Mayor of Stocksbridge, Monica Cummings, the last head teacher, the Rev Kevin Barnard, who was chairman of the school’s governing body before it closed, and several former members of staff.

Jill Hobson, a member of the organising committee, said: “It was a wonderful occasion and a very big day in the life of Bolsterstone. Some of the people there hadn’t seen each other for years and the event had a tremendous unifying aspect. We now look forward to the picnic in July when we can continue the celebrations and, hopefully, see people who were not able to be at the unveiling of the plaque.”

The event on Saturday, July 14, will take the form of a “Bring Your Own Picnic” on Bolsterstone village community field and will feature entertainment and an exhibition of school memorabilia.

Anyone wanting to contribute photos, books or pieces of school work for the display should contact Dorothy Kirbyshaw on 0114 288 5588 no later than June 30.

Additional info

Address: Manchester Road Stocksbridge South Yorkshire S36 2DT

Tags: Bolsterstone School Picnic Reunion

Web link: http://www.bolsterstone.getfreehosting.co.uk