The highlights of Penny Bridge School May Day in 1989

A capacity crowd, framed against a background of Coniston Old Man, watched former pupil Katrina Black crown 11-year-old Clair Humphery the May Queen.

RETIRE: Retiring Queen Katrina Black crowns that year’s queen Clair Louise Humphery, 11, at the May Day celebrations at Penny Bridge School in 1989

The procession, led by herald John Holme, began at Greenodd Village Hall and went up to Mount Pleasant, where residents, parents and friends lined the streets.

The smiles of the flower girls carrying their garlands captivated the crowd as did the solemnity and dignity with which five-year-old crown bearer John Hoyle carried out his duties.

And a moving moment came when Leah Cowburn, of Penny Bridge, area organiser for the Christie Institute in Manchester, thanked both children and parents for cash the school had raised from a sponsored walk.

The audience was treated to a display of Maypole dancing, with two teams giving intricate patterns a good showing - and earning well-deserved applause.

Many attractions proved popular, with the bouncy castle and pony rides keeping the younger children occupied.

People browsed around the many stalls, before enjoying a welcome cream tea.

SCHOOL: Alex Emms, five, engrossed in a book about magic during Penny Bridge School’s annual book week in 1994

The day proved to be not only enjoyable but also a financial success, with a figure of £500 being raised to purchase a computer for the school’s infants’ department.

In 1997 Penny Bridge School showed the importance of taking part with the presentation of its annual swimming awards.

The awards were given to children in each year of the school, apart from reception classes, to show the children that every swimming milestone was important, not just the winning of competitions.

SCHOOL: Penny Bridge School infants classes in 1988

The school had also displayed the value of teamwork when it won the shield for small schools at a swimming gala at Ulverston's swimming pool.

Hazel McLellan, headteacher at Penny Bridge, said: "We believe taking part is more important than winning. The shield is an achievement for all the children taking part, not just the winners of individual competitions."