A SMALL piece of history was both celebrated and created in a market town at the weekend as former pupils and teachers gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of their school.

About 70 Stokesley School class mates from 1969 to 1982 and 14 former teachers covering the period 1962 to 1990 came from as far as Scotland and London for a unique reunion to mark the school's half century.

The group met in the Queen’s Head pub, in the town, on March 28.

While the event was a celebration of the school’s history, it was also a unique addition to it, being the first time such a diverse group had been brought together.

Former pupil and ITV Tyne Tees presenter Pam Royle sent a message of congratulations and support.

Headteacher Catherine Brooker was unable to attend but also sent her best wishes.

The school’s first headteacher, Doug Halliday, known affectionately to pupils and staff as "The Doc" was the evening’s guest speaker.

Mr Halliday, who is in his 90s, delivered a concise history of the school, from conception through to the late Seventies, recalling many milestones along the way.

Irvine Hall, who organised the reunion said: "When I started to organise the reunion, because so many years had passed since we all left school, I didn't think it would be likely that Mr Halliday would still be with us.

"I was delighted to discover that he was and even more delighted when he offered to not only come to the reunion, but to speak as well.

"His talk was very interesting and delivered with a clarity and passion that created a unique moment for us all.

There couldn't have been a more appropriate gathering of teaching staff for such an anniversary, nor a better way of celebrating such a major milestone.

"All who attended weren't just celebrating the school's history, they were a part of it."

The teachers and pupils presented the former headmaster with a framed memento bearing all their names.