THE END of term bell has rung for the last time at a nursery school which has served an East Hampshire village for three decades.
Buriton Nursery School will not re-open after the summer holidays as there are not enough toddlers to make it financially viable.
Staff at the village hall institution have looked after hundreds of youngsters since it opened 28 years ago.
Many of its previous pupils returned to the hall as adults on Saturday as the nursery school held a farewell party in the venue by the recreation ground.
The event was bittersweet for Buriton Nursery School manager Kelly Barrow, as she and her cousin both attended when it opened in 1990.
She said: “We had 20 children on our books at one stage.
“We were left with four children in September so we just weren’t able to continue.
“There may be a chance in the future to re-open but it will depend on the number of children.
“I know some nurseries who open 9am to 3pm are struggling because the majority of parents are working and need the longer hours.”
Old pictures of the nursery and its year groups were displayed on tables at the party while refreshments were served and toys and games were provided for youngsters.
The event also gave villagers a chance to say thank you to Kelly, Linda Horn and the nursery school’s two volunteers, Sylvia and Val, for their help over the last term and beyond.
Kelly added: “There were quite a few people at the party and it was nice to see so many past children and teachers. Some of the children we taught who are now 18 turned up and it’s amazing to see how they’ve changed.”