JOHN Beddoes Campus of Newtown High School held their annual founders day celebration on May 6 on it's 451st anniversary. The event was held in the Ivor Hughes centre at the school and attended by all the students and staff as well as special guests on the day. Guests were Judi Charlton representing the Evergreens, Terry Wells secretary of Presteigne Area community Development group, Cllr James Tennant-Eyles deputy mayor, The Rev Stephen Hollinghurst rector at St Andrew's church, Mary Strong head teacher of Knighton Primary school and Cllr Colin Kirkby mayor of Presteigne. All the guests were welcomed to the school by new head teacher Graeme Harkness who talked to each of them about the importance of working with the community and other schools in the area.

The celebration started with a welcome by the head teacher followed by Liz Preston a Year 11 student playing the piano, then the address was given by the Rev Stephen followed by singing and guitar playing by Megan Thomas and Gemma Morris and readings about 'John Beddoes the man' and the 'Endowing of the school bell' by Marcus Pearce and Ellen Jones. Everyone then listened to a recording of the school song by all the pupils and the event finished with closing prayers and closing remarks by the head teacher.