AN outstanding village school is marking it’s 140th anniversary with the launch of a new book tracing the past.

Our Village School: The saga of the Stove, was written by Carol Wilson, Head teacher at Castleton Primary School, on the North York Moors near Whitby, from 2000 to 2007. With over 150 pictures and many personal anecdotes it traces the history of the school from its uncertain beginnings when it was launched three years after the Education Act of 1871 to the present day when it has been declared Outstanding by Ofsted.

The book is based on the log book records of the school with the unusual sub title explaining the many and varied problems caused by the heating system over the past 100 years. The land on which the school was built was given by local landowner Lord Downe.

The present Lady Downe officially launched the new book which includes many items of interest including one of the earliest school photographs taken at Castleton around 1895, the first use of a ballpoint pen and the beginnings of colour photography. Copies of the book which is raising money for the school fund will be available at a Twilight Tea in Westerdale village hall at 3pm on Sunday December 7.