STUDENTS of the sixties had a swinging time as they returned to their school for a reunion.

Around 100 Old Barnardians were welcomed to Barnard Castle School for a day of tours, hospitality and to catch up on times old and new.

Second master Tony Jackson greeted old boys, some of who had travelled the length of the country, others from America, New Zealand, Spain and France.

“I feel honoured and humbled to be in the presence of a grand total of 5,000 years of contact with Barnard Castle School,” he said.

“When I attended my first Old Barnardians function the thing that struck me was the rich variety of former pupils compared to many schools. You could be talking to a pianist or a pilot or the head of Egyptology at Oxford University and that diversity is something we continue to encourage today.”

Dot Jones, school archivist and secretary of the Old Barnardians, said: “OBs number more than 5,000 living in more than 40 countries and we were delighted to welcome so many from the 1960s back to school to share some wonderful memories and see for themselves how Barney has developed.”

The Sixties reunion began with a reception followed by a service in the school chapel, tours of the facilities, including the Sixth Form Centre and new additions to the Prep School, a display of archive material and lunch.

Old Barnardian Keith Piggott, a retired RAF solo Gnat fighter display pilot, said: “It was great to come back and catch up with old friends. Some parts of the school haven’t changed a bit, such as chapel, while the new facilities, such as the sixth form centre, are stunning. But what hasn’t changed is the ethos of Barnard Castle School which remains a happy, welcoming and inclusive place.”