A TASTE of Victorian values returned to Furness classrooms in 1997 as an infant school marked its anniversary.

The Mail, on Monday, May 5, noted: “The sun smiled on a special 120th birthday party thrown at Dalton’s Chapel Street Infant School.

“But teachers, dressed from neck to toe in Victorian costume, were tempted to curse the warm weather as they sweltered in the balmy temperatures.

“Children turned up for daily lessons at the school, which opened on May 5 in 1877, in 19th century-style pinafores, knickerbockers and caps.

“Some even had brushes once used by child chimney sweeps.”

Headteacher Avis Edmondson said: “They have all been sitting in rows doing their times tables and chanting.

“During play-time they’ve been using hoops and skipping ropes and playing old-fashioned games in the playground.

“The children have learnt a lot about how things have changed.” The article noted: “Many former pupils returned to the Chapel Street School to share their stories with the new generation.

“Classrooms were filled with old log books, attendance registers and photographs dating back to 1874.

“Dalton mayor Ian Singleton unveiled a fresh foundation stone. The original, laid by the school chairman’s wife 120 years ago, has become worn and illegible.”

In 2000 the school faced one its biggest challenges - finding the money to restore its historic bell tower.

An appeal for £20,000 was launched by governors in March after the tower started to crumble away and had to be dismantled on safety grounds.

A series of events was planned to raise cash, including flower arranging, a non-uniform day by pupils at Dowdales School and a sponsored pub crawl.

The Mail, on April 23, was able to note a successful end to the restoration work as the final blocks were put back in place on the sandstone tower.

However, at that stage just £800 had been raised by the appeal and more events were planned and appeals for grants to cover the final bill of £21,275 for the work.