Nearly fifty people turned out for last night's premiere screening of the film 'Best Years of Our Lives' and voted it a success. The film, made by the village's Local History Group, tells the story of education in the village including the present school, founded in 1849, other earlier schools as well as the Mechanics' Institution- once a Victorian centre for adult education.

The film is presented by children from the School and includes interviews with current and former pupils and staff as well as historians who explain the wider historical contact of what has happened in Bishop Monkton. School food, Victorian classroom discipline and stories of families with multi-generational involvement in the School are featured in the film.

Copies of the accompanying book 'Best Years of Our Lives' were also selling like hot cakes with the proceeds of the sales plus bar takings from the evening going to the Friends of Bishop Monkton School.

Vic Hardy, the Chair of the Friends, said that the film made her feel very emotional. Other audience members praised the film and said it captured the history in an engaging way.

The producer of the film, Colin Philpott, thanked everyone who had helped make the film and said he was delighted that people had enjoyed it.

The Headteacher of Bishop Monkton School, Sally Cowling, thanked the Local History Group volunteers involved in the film and the two grant bodies who had helped support the use of a professional camera operator and picture editor for the making of the film.

There'll be another chance to see the film this Friday (23rd) at 3.45 pm at Bishop Monkton School where the book will also be available.