Millom Infants School waved goodbye to a much-loved headmistress in 1997 as Marian Wright retired after 20 years’ service.

Mrs Wright bowed out of the teaching profession 36 years after completing her training at Charlotte Mason in Ambleside and a concert was held by pupils past and present, as were pupils from Black Combe School.

Together, they sang songs and read poems for her.

Mrs Wright said: "I will miss teaching but now I will be able to enjoy things like folk dancing, gardening, walking and cooking: things I could never find time to do.”

More than 190 children at the school went on to contribute to a leaving present; a tea towel with drawings of their faces and their names underneath.

Later in the year, the school raised £1,229.40 in their annual Christmas Fayre, which was organised by the Parent Support Group, who were overwhelmed by the amount of support they received from the people of Millom.

Non-teaching assistant Jackie Stocks said: “It was a wonderful day and a lot of parents put in a lot of hard work.

“We want to thank everyone who helped with the event and for all the support we received.”

Back in 1995, the school put on its annual Christmas show, called The Circus, where the lead character Fflinoe (played by Kirsty Stamper) lost their nose and didn’t know where to find it.

All the other children had an equally important part to play, whether that was singing with the choir or portraying circus performers, such as acrobats and tightrope walkers.