Cousins Michael and Martin Bailey returned to their old school for the first time in half a century to celebrate the revival of a tradition with links to their family. 

The Bailey family, of Wolstanton donated a ceremonial mace to Newcastle-under-Lyme School in honour of relatives Captain Charles Bailey and Lieutenant John Bailey who died in World War Two. 

“The band no longer exists, but recently we took the decision to have the mace restored and it is now used on ceremonial occasions by the School’s Combined Cadet Force,” Head Master Nick Rugg explained. “When it is not in use, it is on display in our School library. 

”We were delighted to welcome back former pupils  Michael and Martin Bailey as they renewed their links with the School.” 

Michael and Martin were taken on a tour of Newcastle-under-Lyme School by Sergeant Olivia Black of the Combined Cadet Force. 

She said: “The Bailey cousins gave me a fascinating insight into life in the School back in the middle of the last century. For example, the Girls School was then strictly out of bounds to the boys, so they could only meet up outside of School premises.”

ENDS

For further information contact Ian Cartwright on 01782 664620.

Note to editors: Newcastle-under-Lyme School is an independent day school catering for pupils from three to 18 years of age. A nursery, junior school, senior school and sixth form are all part of the school family. The School is able to commit over £700,000 a year from its own resources to support the education of children from lower income backgrounds. 

The School’s website can be accessed at www.nuls.org.uk.