Golden moment for college as it continues 50-year celebrations

Sidmouth College headteacher, Kenny Duncan, with former head boy and girl Derek Cody and Linda Sherrard and this year's head boy and girl Safeen Kay and Beth Pugsley to plant a tree and bury a time capsule with the help of Trevor Cope from Sidmouth Garden Centre. Ref shs 8215-37-15AW. Picture: Alex Walton (Image: Archant)

Some 50 years ago in March 1966, Sidmouth County Secondary School head girl Linda Sherrard, nee Wyatt, and head boy Derek Cody planted a tree to mark the opening of the new school.

Last week, they both returned to plant a new sapling with the school’s current head girl and boy, Beth Pugsley and Safeen Kay, as part of the college’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The school will also bury a time capsule - containing a blazer, a school prospectus, and hope leaves which were produced by the new starters - to be uncovered by future generations.

Linda, who now lives in Saltash, said: “The school has a really good feel to it. I have enjoyed seeing it again. I was very proud to be going to the new school, coming from the old school.

“It is quite amazing to be back and see how the treads of the stairs show 50 years of feet running up them. They have really stood the test of time.”

As the head girl and boy, Linda and Derek met Sir Peter Scott, the son of Scott of the Antarctic, and Brigadier Crick before planting the tree.

Linda said: “We were 16, it was quite an honour at the time to meet someone of such significance.”

Derek lives in Malden Road, Sidmouth, in a bungalow opposite the property that the first headmaster, Mr Joyce, lived in.

The 66-year-old said: “Visually, the college looks much the same when you approach the reception building, however, it has expanded a lot. It still feels very welcoming though.”

Staff and students watched as the ginko was planted.

The tree, which was donated by Sidmouth Garden Centre, sheds golden leaves in the autumn.