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Happy Birthday to school

1:36pm Sunday 16th November 2008 in Search

MORE than 750 pupils and staff celebrated a school’s 125th anniversary in song.

They sang Happy Birthday to Barnard Castle School before sharing a giant cake.

Founded in November 1883, the fee-paying school boasts a succession of academic and sporting successes.

It was built at a cost of £28,000 by Joseph Kyle, who was also the contractor for Bowes Museum next door.

By 1900 it had 116 borders and 12 day pupils serving the agricultural and mining communities.

It accepted its first girls 25 years ago and today has a roll of 750 pupils in its senior and preparatory schools.

The school has always enjoyed close links with the armed forces and has had a combined cadet force since its inception.

Last year it enjoyed its best ever academic results and continues to turn out outstanding sportsman, including several internationals, particularly in the fields of rugby, cricket, hockey, horse-riding and running.

For the celebrations head of school Guy Hartley helped the youngest pupil Lucy Dalton, four, to cut the cake with a ceremonial sword.

It was baked by catering manager Linda Metcalfe using 160 eggs, and 16lb each of flour, sugar and margarine.

Three generations of the Riddell family have passed through the school.

Stephen Riddell, who left 17 years ago had followed in the footsteps of his cricketing father Neil, who captained Durham for ten years.

Now his five-year-old daughter Holly has enrolled at the at the preparatory school.

"I loved the place and boarded," said the 35-year-old surveyor, of Manfield, who runs Dufell Roofing. "I was here with my sister Gill and enjoyed playing sport.

"I was delighted when we managed to get Holly in."

School chaplain Steve Ridley said: "Barnard Castle School has always stood at the heart of the community and is still as accessible as it ever was.

"The facilities may have improved, the school roll grown, but the welcoming, family ethos remains the same."

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