PUPILS of Llanbedr Primary School celebrated its 100th anniversary of its current building with a special church service and tea party reports REBECCA LARGE.

Celebrating with the children and their teachers last week were a number of parents, past pupils and friends of the school.

The chief celebrant at the centenary service was The Right Reverend John Davies, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon.

Others taking part in the service were the rector of the parish, Canon Colin Bowen, the Reverend Jeremy Bowen and former pupil Cerys Taylor.

During the service the younger children sang songs about St Peter and Class 3 gave a presentation comparing Victorian schools with schools of today.

Headteacher Gwynfa Lilly, who has been at the school since 1981 and headteacher since 1989 thanked all staff, parents, friends and governors for their support throughout the last 30 years. Commemorative bibles were presented to Year 6 pupils .

The pupils were told that a school had been established in Llanbedr for many centuries - the school was initially founded when, in her will, dated April 4, 1728, Mary Herbert left a sum of money to the church and church warden of the parish for the education of 'As many poor girls as possible from Llanbedr and Patrishow to be taught in writing, reading, casting accounts and plain needlework. They shall at the age of 15 be presented with a common prayer book.'

It is not known when the school was moved to its current location in the idyllic surroundings in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, though it is believed to have been built during the late 1860s, and is shown on a map dated 1902.

In 1910, Llanbedr school was pulled down and completely rebuilt, and is still standing 100 years later.

Today, the school is thriving and prides itself on its positive and secure family environment.

One special guest Vera Powell (née Brute) is one of the oldest living past pupils of the school, having attended during the 1930s, and her great grandson, Ioan, is now the youngest on the school role.

She described her time at Llanbedr as being full of very happy memories adding, "I was there for seven years without missing a day and was presented with a watch at the end as a gift."

Cliff Jones, another past pupil, is now a governor at the school, and his granddaughter is the fifth generation in his family to be educated at Llanbedr school.

He said, "The school has grown since I was a pupil here, and with the arrival of new technology, Llanbedr is able to grow and develop even further and has survived the many recent school closures in Powys."

Although the school is comparatively small with less than 50 pupils, it doesn't lack in support and lots of people came to be a part of the centenary celebrations.

The sun shone as different generations in the history of the school mixed and enjoyed the celebratory event.

Inside, the school hall was brimming with books, displays and photos referring to the school's past, including photos of the pupils from 1893 to the present day.

The yard was taken over by a large marquee with Edwardian styled bunting, and tables and chairs set out ready for the tea party the centrepiece of which was a celebration cake, made by parent Emma Powell and decorated with the school logo, Welsh dragons, daffodils and a happy birthday message went down a treat.

At the end of the afternoon, the Bishop presented each of the pupils with a special commemorative mug to mark the occasion.