BUILDING work worth £300,000 was needed to sort out a South Cumbria school where six dinner ladies held up a dining room partition wall when it started to come down.

And there was time for celebration when the walls were replaced and the leaks were finally stopped.

The Mail, on November 16 in 1993, noted: "Croftlands Junior School was finally back to normal last week when it celebrated its official re-opening.

"The Ulverston school has undergone major refurbishment costing more than £300,000 over the last year.

"When it was opened in 1965 it was estimated the building had a life expectancy of only 15 to 20 years.

"By the time work started to replace all the walls and add three new classrooms the school was leaking badly and pupils were having to be turned away for lack of room.

"Furness MP John Hutton unveiled the plaque in the new school hall."

He said: "The day is significant as an investment in the future for the school and for the wider community."

Headmaster Ed Shuttleworth said: "We needed a new building two years ago and started to get our plans drawn up.

"All the walls were taken out bit by bit with the school still trying to function around it.

"Builders and children don't mix.

"I remember the day the partition wall in the dining room started to come down during school lunch.

"I still have the picture of six dinner ladies propped against the wall to keep it up."

The Mail, on February 7 in 1995, noted: "Croftlands Junior School's play The Burning Bush is a sell-out success, running over the next three evenings.

"It tells the story of Moses, played by Anna Falvey, and his struggle to free his people from the oppression of the Pharaoh, played by Helen Ramsey.

"The children have practised their lines and actions every week since September.

"Music is provided by the school choir.

"They have been provided with colourful costumes, a stunning set and professional lighting.

"It follows last year's success with Blast Off."