Blaenavon Community Marks 200 Year Anniversary Of St Peter’s School
Children from Blaenavon Heritage VC School, and members of local community groups, have come together to mark 200 years since the opening of St Peter’s School in Blaenavon.
The school building, which now forms part of the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Library, was established in 1816 by Sarah Hopkins in memory of her brother, the Blaenavon ironmaster Samuel Hopkins.
It was one of the first free schools in Wales to be built by an industrial employer for the benefit of the workers children.
In 1982 St Peter’s was relocated to Park Street and in 2012 merged with the other local school, Hillside Primary, to form the Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School.
Pupils from the school have contributed art work and pieces of creative writing to a new exhibition about St Peter’s and schooling in Blaenavon during the industrial revolution, which is on display in the World Heritage Centre and Library.
Cath Thomas, Blaenavon World Heritage site coordinator, said:
“St Peter’s has served the Blaenavon community for 200 years. First as a school, providing free education for the children of the town, and now as the World Heritage Centre and Library, helping to preserve the town’s heritage for future generations.
“It was a delight to see the young children from Blaenavon Heritage VC School come together with older generations from the local community to share stories about their school days and view the new exhibition.”
The St. Peter’s School Bicentenary exhibition is open at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Library and will remain on display until 10 June. People with memories of St. Peter’s School are encouraged to come along and share their stories.
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