FORDINGBRIDGE and District Community Association celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Avonway Community Centre at the weekend.

A display at the centre showed the results of research into the association’s history and that of its Victorian building, formerly the Fordingbridge National School.

Studies of the school’s old log books and photographs have revealed some insights into life in Victorian times and have generated a lot of local interest.

In 1836 the Reverend Mr Farey opened the New National School. The children sang the 100th Psalm and the band played the National Anthem. Ale and plum cake were served.

Plum cake featured again in 1850 when it was served in the decorated schoolroom on May Day, after the pupils, decorated with garlands, had sung in a procession. However, in a guide book of 1872 the school is described as being “established in the lowest and foulest corner of the town in the area known as Hell Corner for access by the scum of the parish.” The school clearly got over this negative image and went on to become the source of many happy memories for local residents. In one case there are photographs of three generations of the same family.

In another, one of the leaders of the new youth club found pictures of his own parents associated with an earlier Avonway Youth Club.

Another story that has come to light is that after the war the school staff decided not to waste the blackout fabric taken down from the school windows, so set the girls the task of making knickers out of it.

Avonway Community Centre manager Chris O’Connell said: “It was so busy all weekend. Some people even came on Saturday and then came back with more friends and family on Sunday. It was very well received.”