PUPILS who attended the former Sawrey Endowed Church of England School have been invited to a reunion.

The event, which is also open to partners, will be held from 2pm on Saturday, July 20, at the site of the school - now Braithwaite Hall at Far Sawrey. Photographs, memorabilia, the school clock and bell, the school bible and the Charles Hack cup - which was given to the child who had achieved the most over the year - will be on display and afternoon tea will be served.

Elizabeth Mallet, who is helping to organise the reunion, said: "In the 18th century, many small schools were set up throughout the villages, financed by local benefactors. Sawrey Endowed Church of England School was one such building.

"In 1766 a local man called William Braithwaite gave the sum of £600 to three trustees to go towards paying a school master to teach the children of Sawrey. Over the years various members of the Braithwaite family donated large amounts of money to the school.

"In 1969 the school closed and, having been declared not the property of the Church of England, it was handed over on the orders of the Secretary of State for Education and Science to the trustees, whose duty is to administer the building for the benefit for the local community as their village hall.

"It was named very fittingly the Braithwaite Hall. The present trustees are the Rev John Dixon, Simon Hilton, Rachael Muir and Jimmy Mallett."

Any past pupils who wish to attend the reunion should contact Elizabeth Mallett on 015394 36450 or email elizabeth.mallett2@gmail.com