PUPILS at a South Cumbrian school returned from Israel 20 years ago as new champions of the world.

Junior and senior teams from Ulverston Victoria High School proved they could read a map as well as run fast to win the overall prize against youngsters from 11 countries in the World School Orienteering Championships.

The Mail, on Monday, April 24 in 2000, noted that the school had won the title once before - in 1997 at an event held in Italy.

Junior team member Sarah Browne said: "We were going out there thinking we had a chance but we didn't think we'd win."

Pupils did their bit for the environment in 1994.

The Mail, on December 10, noted: "A total of 30,000 empty drinks cans collected for recycling by youngsters at Ulverston Victoria Lower School have paid for environmental improvements in the school grounds.

"The students have raised hundreds of pounds in cash since since a drinks can recycling bank was installed at the school a year ago.

"Led by religious education teacher Chris Ormerod, the school's conservation group has used the cash to buy trees and maintain the gardens and grounds at the lower school site in Hart Street.

"Since the scheme started the dozen-strong group has bought 100 trees which they have planted themselves."

Mr Ormerod said: "The recycling programme has proved a great success."

Pictured in The Mail celebrating the success of the scheme were pupils Michael Fitzgerald, Daniel MacQueen, Andrew Wilkinson, Edward Holden, Ian Harrison, Steven Morton, Chris Walduck and David Burtam.

In 1988 pupils were making use of a new skip for the recycling of aluminium cans.

The Ulverston News, on December 8, noted: "The school has installed a skip donated by Ulverston businessman John Morgan and there is a desperate need for hundreds of aluminium cans or any aluminium scarp to fill it to the brim to raise money for school funds.

"The skip is located in the school car park in Springfield Road."

The Mail, on September 21 in 1988, noted: "Ulverston Victoria High School's sixth form science department has a new BBC Master computer - a gift from the neighbouring Glaxochem factory.

"Glaxochem is celebrating the 40th anniversary of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the town and the computer presentation is the latest in a series of events arranged to mark the occasion.

"A number of software packages accompanied the computer.

"Although based in the chemistry department, the equipment will be available to all sixth form science pupils.

"Both machine and software were selected by Peter Wild, the school's head of science, who accepted the gift from Glaxochem factory manager Dr Gareth Gibbon."