Details have been confirmed of film screening times, exhibition openings and book sales related to the 'Best Years of Our Lives' project about the history of education in Bishop Monkton. Events will take place between 21st and 26th May to showcase the work done by the village school in conjunction with the Local History Group to find out more about the history of the School and also the village's former Mechanics' Institution.

The project has been running for a year with researchers from the History Group trawling through the School's own records and also local archives to find out more about the history of the School which opened in 1849. But they have also found evidence of other earlier schools in the village as well as discovering more about the adult education role played by the Mechanics' Institution in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The research has already been used in the classroom for a 'History of Our School' themed learning project involving all age groups in the School during the Autumn Term.

The fruits of all this work will be revealed in a film presented by children from the School, an exhibition which will include children's artwork inspired by the School's history as well as an illustrated 120 page book which will be available for sale.

The important dates are as follows -

WATCH THE FILM

Wednesday 21st May 7pm, Village Hall – Film Screening. Free. Just turn up. All welcome. Cash and Contactless Bar run by the Friends of Bishop Monkton School. The film running time is c40mins.

Friday 23rd May 3.45 pm, School – Film Screening (mainly for parents, staff and children) Just turn up. Free. Children's refreshments c/o the Friends.

VISIT THE EXHIBITION

Bank Holiday Monday 26th May 12noon – 4pm - As part of the village Fun Day, an Exhibition about the School’s History in the School Hall. Just turn up.

BUY THE BOOK

The ‘Best Years of Our Lives’ book, £10 cash or contactless, will be available to buy at all three events listed above. All proceeds of the book sales (once production costs have been covered) will go to the Friends of Bishop Monkton School.