A ROUSING weekend of celebrations has been held to to mark Nottingham High School's 500th anniversary.
Past and present pupils came together to enjoy three days of events in honour of the milestone.
Hundreds gathered yesterday at the school, in Arboretum Street for a family fun day – with some returning to their old stomping ground for the first time in decades.
Brothers John and Richard Webster, who grew up in Plumtree, were back seeing how things had changed since they both left in the 1960s.
Richard, 67, who flew back to the UK from Brisbane, Australia, especially for the event, said: "I think at the time you underestimate the value of the education that you get here.
"I was telling friends back in Australia I was coming for the school's 500th. When you bear in mind that Australia has only been in existence for 230 years or so, it really puts it into context."
When it came to memories of his time at the school, Richard added: "I was a fairly naughty boy. We used to have a Prefects' Court in those days and every Friday morning you'd appear before the sixth-formers if you were alleged to have committed an offence.
"I used to get found guilty of 'caplessness' – not wearing your cap off the school premises."
John, 70, went on to work for Nottingham City Council and now lives in Lincolnshire.
He said: "It's nice to be back. It's interesting to see my old classrooms again.
"It's incredible that it's still going after 500 years. You don't appreciate what is here until you have actually left."
The fun day event included live music by the school band, and talks by former pupils.
There was also a display by the Nottingham and Derby Hot Air Balloon Club, to mark 200 years since the first balloon flight over the city. Club member Robin Macey, 52, of Aspley, was a pupil at Nottingham High School between 1972 and 1979.
He said: "I was in the athletics team and I was the first boy in the school to jump over 6ft in the high jump.
"I feel very fortunate to have gone to the school, and it's great it has clocked up 500 years.
"It would be nice if my eight-year-old son, Ashley, could come here in the future."
The celebrations began with a golf day and afternoon tea on Friday.
A school captains' breakfast was also held on Saturday, attended by six decades of captains and vice-captains, the three living headmasters, and former senior masters.
It was followed by the annual Founder's Day Service at St Mary's Church, in the Lace Market, and the traditional Cheese 'n' Ale ceremony back at the school.
Present Year 10 pupil Tom Reilly, 15, of Sherwood, said: "About 1,500 people attended Founder's Day. It was nice to see pupils from all different years there."
