By Emma Tilley

IT was a thanksgiving service tinged with a little sadness at Barford St Martin Church of England Primary School.

The school, whose history runs all the way back to 1854, is facing changes as it joins with Wilton Church of England Primary School in January and also loses its headmistress of 12 years, Sandra Crook.

The children joined with parents, ex-pupils, school governors and staff for a warm-hearted thanksgiving service to embrace the changes now in operation and to say a fond goodbye to Mrs Crook.

Each pupil had written a letter of thanks to their headmistress and these were displayed in a book at the front of the church, alongside old photographs of past pupils.

Former rector, the Reverend Jack Leeming, joined team vicar John Staples at the service to offer some prayers.