PICTURES: When Dalton’s new school was opened by a special guest

The Rt Rev Cyril Bulley, Bishop of Carlisle, opened the new Dalton Church of England School and gave an inspiring speech to the youngsters which kickstarted decades of learning and fun.

“There is a lot of talk about education today," he said. "The children are here to remind us what education is all about, for people nowadays do not always realise that those who matter in the end are the children.”

SINGING: Pupils at the opening of the Dalton-in-Furness new Church of England School in 1970

The school, now known as Dalton St Mary’s C of E Primary School, was the first new one to be opened in Dalton for many years.

Pupils and staff had recently moved from the old premises in Abbey Road, near the parish church, to the new building on the Thornton Park Estate.

The Rt Rev Bulley outlined the history of education in Dalton and said that, although the first Dalton school was founded by the church, the state now played a major part in education.

LEARN: Dalton Church of England School as it was when it opened in 1970

“Nowadays children are given knowledge and they are taught how to use it in the right way for the people of the world,” he said.

The bishop was introduced by Mr J Ullock, representing the school governors, after he had unlocked the main door to the new building and unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Ald H. Nevin thanked the bishop for attending the ceremony and said that while the technological revolution was taking place and transforming the material characteristics of the nation, we should be in trouble if we were to lose sight of the moral contribution that real education had to make.

The school was honoured by the visit and made their prestigious visitors feel very welcomed.

TRAINING: Sword work for ‘Roundhead’ Louise Knipe from ‘Cavalier’ Sid Westall at Dalton Church of England School in 1994

The curate of Dalton, the Rev N. Hutton, read a message from the vicar, the Rev G. W.Brassington, who had been unable to attend.

Other members of the platform party were Mrs E.E. Donbavan, representing the County Architect, Mr K. H. Haworth and Canon A. Batty, the Diocesan Director of Education.

The headmaster, Mr W.E. Hughes, welcomed the visitors and played the piano for hymns.

SWEEP: Pupils went on to learn all about keeping the streets clean during a visit from BCBD’s cleansing department in 1992

Fond memories since the opening have included learning about street cleaning during a visit from BCBD’s cleansing department in 1992, producing a project and exhibition on local industry in 1988 and having a go at musketry in 1994.