A NOSTALGIC gala day to celebrate a special anniversary at St Palladius’ Primary was a huge success, raising over £500 for the Parent Council Fund.

The school held the nostalgia themed fête last weekend to commemorate 40 years at its current site in Dalry’s Roche Way.

Head teacher Pamela McCallum said: “It was a great success, the sun shone.

“We raised over £500 for the Parent Council Fund but it was more about celebrating rather than raising money.

“We had past pupils and past staff along and we had old photos up from through the years. It was great to see people recognise themselves from old photos.”

Among the visitors at the event was Martin Kostigovs, whose late aunt, Margaret Sklazeski (nee Gallacher), had been dux at St Palladius in 1938.

Margaret was originally from the Garnock Valley but emigrated to Canada and during a visit to Scotland she gave her dux medal to Martin’s daughter.

Martin brought along the 60-year-old medal to the event at his aunt’s former school.