A SCHOOL celebrated the official unveiling of their new windows last week after seven months of campaigning.

Staff and pupils from Letchworth GC’s Wilbury Junior School marked the replacement of their 60-year-old windows with a special ceremony on Friday, after securing �70,000 of the �100,000 funding they need.

The Bedford Road school set up their Windows for Wilbury campaign last November after dedicated government funding was cut but now have new windows installed in the hall and all their classrooms.

The funding came courtesy of Hertfordshire County Council, businesses Willmott Dixon and Allplas, as well as donations from members of the public.

Former pupil Margaret Durrant, who was among the first intake when the school opened in 1949, was the first to donate to the cause and was asked to cut the ribbon on the day, as North East Herts MP Oliver Heald and Cllr Terry Hone from North Herts District Council watched on.

Speaking this week, Mrs Durrant said: “When I saw it in the paper I thought it was a shame that the children were putting up with those old windows. I posted a cheque the day after reading it in The Comet and I was the first one to do so.

“The classrooms still look the same but without the little desks and chairs that we had. I remember the school well and my two sons went there too so it’s been a tradition.”

About being asked to take part in the ceremony, the 68-year-old Letchworth GC resident added: “I just thought it was to come along - I didn’t realise I was going to be involved! It was a very good morning.”

Headteacher John Cattermole said: “It was a great day because it was a chance to celebrate the fact that the whole school and community has come together to be part of the windows campaign.

“I would like to thank everybody that has been involved - the children that wrote letters, parents that have supported us and the whole community.

“It just shows what can be done if you get together for a common cause and Wilbury has this can-do attitude.”

The school are now hoping to raise the final �30,000 so the rest of the building can have their windows replaced, including staff rooms and corridors.

For more information log on to the Windows for Wilbury forum via http://wilbury.maxforum.org