STAFF and pupils at Chorley New Road Primary School, Horwich turned back the clock to the Victorian era yesterday. The school was celebrating its centenary, and children and teachers dressed in period costume including headteacher, Peter Charnock, who sported a 100 day old beard and wore a Victorian frock coat with a top hat. Even the Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Mrs Barbara Ronson and Mrs Fran Thomas entered into the spirit of the occasion, and arrived in a 1900 horse drawn carriage, loaned by Mr Harold Restall, grandfather of one of the pupils.

David Edwards of Bolton's Museum Service, started the proceedings by recreating the laying of the foundation stone on May 23, 1896 by Col Charles Ainsworth, chairman of the Horwich School Board.

Then it was back to the present day when chairman of the governors Mrs Doreen Dickinson, planted a flowering tree.

Said Mrs Dickinson: "I hope it will thrive and grow as the pupils of the school thrive and grow. Each year when it comes into bloom, it will be a reminder of this wonderful occasion which is our centenary day." Then the school's two oldest and two youngest pupils - Arnold Wood, Jamie Ladd, Matthew Curns and Zoe Millington - buried a time capsule crammed with comics, music tapes, books, games and even a pair of jeans. Then a book containing the names of people who have given donations to the school's centenary fund, and wish to be remembered was finally added. Today the site will be concreted over and sets laid on top.

The Mayor then declared open Lynde Street, which used to run past the school, but was lost when the school was extended in the 60s. Finally a Victorian lamp placed next to the street entrance, was switched on to mark the start of centenary year which ends in February when the school opened in 1897. All sorts of events are planned over the next few months and on Saturday 100 pupils will be walking in the carnival procession clad in their Victorian attire.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.