More than 500 people shared memories from their school days - both as students and teachers - on Friday to mark the final days of Helston Community College's north site buildings.

The college held an open farewell evening to give people one last chance to tour the buildings before they are demolished and the school relocates to new purpose-built facilities elsewhere on the grounds, from September.

Those looking around included former cohorts from when it was Gwealhellis County Secondary School, before it merged with Helston Grammar School to become a comprehensive school, through to more recent school leavers.

Falmouth Packet:

Victoria and John Dower with their son Charles (centre). Photo: Mike Thomas

Among them were Sheila Cockram, daughter of the first and only head teacher of Gwealhellis, Leslie Cockram.

She presented the school with a piece of history in the form of the original visitors' book from when the school first opened in 1960.

Also joining the evening were many ex-students and a number of former staff from both schools, including ex headteacher Pat McGovern, Mike Thomas, Betty Pascoe, Alan Truscott, Dave and Pauline Davies, John Mules, Pat Hosking, Mr and Mrs Greg Curnow, Howard Curnow, Jeanette Coleman, Mike Husk, Mark Quilter, Vince Davies, Martin Grimshaw, Ian and Maggie Rogers and Dave Lockwood.

As they looked around they were treated to music from members of Breage and Gweek silver bands - of which many players were pupils of the original Gwealhellis building - and current students.

Falmouth Packet:

Headteacher Wayne Jenkins with former head of middle school Alan Truscott, original senior mistress at Gwealhellis Betty Pascoe and trust CEO Donna Bryant

The school said: "Our grateful thanks to Breage and Gweek bands for giving their time to the event – it struck exactly the right note! And thanks to our own Helston students who really impressed the crowds with their music and solo pieces."

More than £700 was raised in donations on the night, not including a number of additional pledges, towards buying equipment for the new school, as the government funding only covers the structure.

There was much interest from visitors in seeing the new building and the school has promised another open event in the new term for people to look around.