CONGRATULATIONS!

A Maldon school has marked a very rare milestone - the 400th anniversary of continuous education in the town.

Plume School first opened its doors in 1608 as a grammar school and amalgamated with the secondary modern in 1970 to form a comprehensive.

To mark the important occasion a two day celebration was held last weekend, June 21 and 22.

The packed itinerary started with an exhibition of art students' work followed by the school's annual dance festival.

Musical entertainment was provided throughout the day by Plume pupils and younger children from the area's primary schools.

The site's Drama Club members also performed workshops about the history of theatre over the last 400 years.

Throughout the weekend Bob Barnes, a long serving teacher, conducted tours of the building.

But the culmination of the celebrations was a dinner dance on Saturday night.

The event, which included a meal prepared by school staff, was attended by almost 400 ex students - some of who had travelled from as far as America and Australia.

And speeches were given by Joan Binder, former pupil, teacher and the current chair of governors; Stephen Nunn, former pupil, local historian; and headteacher Sarah Dignasse.

A spokesman for the school said: "A particularly humorous moment came when Miss Dignasse made reference to the school punishment books of yesteryear - there were a few red faces in the room.

"Everyone sang Happy Birthday and a birthday cake was cut by current and past students."

The weekend was rounded off on Sunday afternoon with a music performance by the Plume Big Band at the Promenade Park Amphitheatre and another musical extravaganza at All Saints' Church in the evening.

The spokesman added: "It was a hectic weekend but a very important and memorable one for the school and for the town.

"The next event is a three team, 20/20 cricket tournament which will be held at Maldon Cricket Club on Thursday July 24, as part of Maldon's cricket week.

"Everyone looks forward to the continuing achievements of Plume School, which has a bright and optimistic future."

* Historian Stephen Nunn's book, Maldon The Plume School - Four Centuries of Education 1608 - 2008, is still available from the school, WH Smith or Maldon Tourist Information Centre.