THE final countdown has started at Moldgreen Community Primary School.

And an open invitation went out today: Come and mark our 130 years of history.

The Victorian school building will shut its doors for good when the term ends in December.

And contractors have already moved on to the recreation ground adjoining Ravensknowle Park, which is to provide a new but temporary home for pupils and staff.

The school off The Avenue is to be demolished and replaced by a new building, but pupils and staff will be on the temporary site for at least the next 18 months.

Now staff at the school are hoping to mark the closure with a series of events.

They include an open day on November 25, when visitors including many former pupils, are expected.

There will be two sessions: 10am to noon and 1-3pm.

School community development worker Lorraine Zito said: "We want people to join us as we prepare to say farewell to this building, opened as a school in 1873.

"The open day will be a chance for former pupils, their parents, friends and people who live in the area to come in and have a look round for the last time.

"We know that a lady aged 94, thought to be our oldest former pupil, is already coming along and we hope many others will join her.

"The head teacher, Mr Bob Whitehead, is himself a former pupil and there are many children at the school now whose parents used to attend."

Work started last week on the recreation ground off Lister Street.

The field stretching above the playground has been cordoned off and builders are preparing the ground for the temporary classrooms and other buildings to house the children in the new year.

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