AT THE grand old age of 88 Phyllis Dyer was still able to keep former pupils in line at the 110th birthday party of Gorse Hill School.

More than 40 former pupils met up at Even Swindon Community Centre to enjoy hot dogs, followed by trifle, and rekindle school day memories.

Mrs Dyer can still remember teaching Beryl Brown in the 1940s and showing her class letters from her husband while he fought in the war.

Beryl, now Mrs Guyatt, from Rodbourne, said: "Mrs Dyer was a very good teacher and we became quite close. We weren't naughty enough to get the cane. But we were given 100 lines for talking to the boys at the gate. That was forbidden back then.

"I was always an organiser and love bringing people together.

"Even though we haven't seen each other for years, we can still gossip for hours on end. Growing up during the war forced us to make our own fun. And we certainly did that!"

Sheila Sullivan, one of Beryl's old classmates, travelled all the way from Lymington in Hampshire for the occasion.

She said: "It was definitely worth coming. It's fantastic being able to reminisce about our teachers. We had a ghastly cookery teacher who was ever so sarcastic. If we asked her where to put something, she would reply 'In the toilet!'"

Sheila also stressed how strictly boys and girls were segregated.

"Even on the way in to school boys had to walk on one side of the road and girls on the other. It was terribly tough," she said.

The reunions first started when Gorse Hill School turned 100 in 1992. Thrilled by the turnout, Beryl became determined to make them a more regular event.

She said: "It's funny but we haven't changed that much. And it's great taking a trip down memory lane, recalling how our strict headmistress used to check our nails and teeth for cleanliness."

But it wasn't all hard work and tight regulations.

Former pupils remember dancing round the maypole in the playground and dressing up as flowers or fairies to mark the arrival of spring.

Along with free-flowing tea and coffee, the festivities finished with a raffle draw.

Beryl added: "As usual, everyone has had a tremendous time. It's such a small world and great fun putting names to faces. We're looking forward to the next one already."