Former colleagues staged a high school reunion.

Ex-teachers, caretakers, cleaners, technicians and office staff at Colne Valley High School met up for what was dubbed a ‘Family Reunion.’

Jointly organised by retired head of art Alan Marchington and former school secretary and head’s PA Maureen Walker, the reunion was attended by 130 people.

The event, held at Broad Oak Bowling Club, proved a real evening of nostalgia and reminiscences.

People from as far afield as North Wales, Devon, Durham and Worksop travelled to meet up again with old friends.

One of the oldest there was Peter Shaw, now in his 80s, who was one of the original members of staff when the school first opened in 1956.

Alan, 70 in November, said the idea for the reunion came about as ex-colleagues remarked how they only met up for funerals.

“We have been to so many funerals over the last few years, which is only to be expected at our age,” said Alan.

“So we decided it would be good to meet up in happier circumstances.

“And, in any case, I want to know what people will be saying at my wake!”

Alan, of Golcar, worked at Colne Valley from 1968 to 1996 and stayed for a further four years as a governor.

“It was organised by Maureen and myself and we didn’t advertise it or anything. It was all done by word of mouth,” he said.

“It was attended not just by former teachers, I didn’t want that, but by all kinds of ancillary staff.

“I always said that the school was one big family and that once we left for the day the classrooms didn’t clean themselves.

“We were one big family.”

Celia and Elizabeth Knight, of A and E Knight butchers in Marsden, provided a pie and peas supper and a special reunion cake, complete with the school’s crest.

There was a slide presentation showing old photographs from school plays, productions and trips.

The school’s residential centre, the Peter Brook Centre in North Wales, featured prominently.

There had been plans for a reunion to coincide with the school’s 60th anniversary in 2016 but such was the success there may be another gathering next year.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” said Alan.