PUPILS past and present, parents, staff and governors of Raglan Church in Wales VC Primary bid farewell last Thursday (18th June) to a school building that has served them for 46 years.

The infants' block was handed over for demolition last week, and Jeremy Piper, the governors and the Raglan History Society opened for one last time so former pupils could reminisce, take photographs with the building as a backdrop, and share memories for future generations.

In the spring of 1969, the new school for infants was opened adjacent to the Old Schoolhouse. It was hailed as the most modern school in the county. The new school introduced open-plan teaching in classrooms without doors.

It was in 1977 that the new junior school and community rooms were built, The first headteacher in the junior school was Mr. G.H. Clark. For nearly 20 years the two schools each had their own headteacher.

Raglan Primary school continued to grow as nearby schools in Bryngwyn, Penyclawd and Tregare closed and the children from those villages and hamlets attended school in Raglan.