TWO Pembrokeshire village schools have been celebrating their own ends of an era recently.

With Stackpole VC School, Orielton CP School and Angle VC School due to merge into the Penrhyn Church in Wales VC School in September, Angle and Stackpole recently held community events to celebrate their pivotal roles in the communities.

On July 7, Angle held a special ceremony to celebrate the life of the school, which, just five years ago, celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Past pupils, teachers, staff and parents were invited to the school, where the pupils of Angle School began the ceremony by singing three songs, followed by the school's ukulele group playing Don't Worry, Be Happy.

Past pupils were then invited to talk about their memories of their time at Angle, before Head Teacher Clive Condon made a toast to the school, while the eldest and youngest pupil cut the celebratory cake, made by the school's cook, Julie James.

Everyone was then invited to view the photos and memorabilia on display in the school.

Stackpole VC, open since the 1840s, also held its own ‘end of an era’ open day recently, with current and past Stackpole families getting together to reminisce over archived material, photographs and memorabilia.

The sun shone throughout and the day included wonderful performances by the school choir and an auction of some of the old school furniture and memorabilia. The school’s PTA kept the crowds refreshed with delicious cream teas.

Among those present were former head teachers Kevin Phelps, Peter Evans, Jane Rees and Lyn Childs along with current head, Mr Condon.

The day was made even more special as the school was presented with the Green Flag Eco Schools Award by Kiri Howell of Keep Wales Tidy.

Sandra Bryant, base leader at Stackpole VC School said: “Everyone in our community is incredibly proud of Stackpole School and all it has achieved over the years.

“It was truly overwhelming to see the hundreds of current and past pupils, parents, family, staff and friends who turned up to celebrate with us at our Open Day. Being able to display so much memorabilia relating to the history of the School was wonderful.

“I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped to make the day such an amazing and memorable occasion.”