Stephen joined local school children at Hoylake Community Centre’s newly refurbished Victorian classroom on friday to see just what it was like for children who attended Hoylake’s old Parade school.

The old school, now Hoylake Community Centre, was opened in 1909 and the Victorian classroom was just one of the ways Community Centre volunteers are marking its centenary year. There was also an exhibition of photos and memorabilia open to the public as well as talks from local historian Heather Chapman last week, and future events are being planned.

The Victorian classroom is being used by local school children as part of their history lessons, with teachers adopting a strict Victorian persona and there is even a Dunce’s cap that Stephen was particularly pleased to avoid.