FRIENDS and teachers both past and present of Newent Community School joined together to celebrate the school's landmark birthday.

It reached its 50th year on April 18, and around 1,000 people, all former students, teachers and staff, travelled from far and wide to make it to the celebrations.

The hall was bedecked with old photos of the whole school over the 50 year period, and there were tours of the school to show past pupils how their old classrooms had changed over the years.

There were also pictures from the school's annual, traditional dinner. Every year since 1965, the school has held the event called The Toast List, where sixth formers attend each have the opportunity to make a speech.

The school opened in 1965, after it took over the premises from a grammar school.