A SCHOOL celebrated its 50th anniversary with a festival of events.

The Alec Hunter Humanities College marked its milestone with music from live bands and a balloon launch.

It also coincided with the start of an exhibition on the history of the school at Braintree District Museum, and a book by historian David Possee, who died last month.

Headteacher Andrew Hutchinson said: “It was a fantastic event. A great start to the season of festivities we have planned.”

Richard Hunter, the grandson of textile designer and weaver Alec Hunter – after whom the Stubbs Lane school is named – was a guest of honour with his sister Caroline Hunter-O’Grady.

Lord and Lady Newton, Braintree Council chairman Margaret Galione and hundreds who attended the college since it first opened in 1959 also attended the event.

Mr Hunter said: “The day was absolutely terrific. I am just so touched the connection is still alive.

“What impressed me in particular was the continuing connection between the archives and the present.”

Alec Hunter died in 1958, the year before the school opened.

During the event, visitors were offered tours of the building so they could see how the school grounds had changed, from when it was a technical school with 406 pupils to the humanities college it is now, with more than 1,000 pupils.

Many who attended the event also went to the Manor Street museum, where Mr Hunter opened the exhibition.

On display until October 17, it profiles Alec Hunter the man and the school.

Visitors can see original uniforms, school books, school magazines, and photographs of sporting success and past pupils. Alec Hunter was director of the Warner Textile Company and lived in Thaxted.

Some of his textile designs – including a fabric called Cressing, which inspired the design of the Alec Hunter school tie – are on display.

The book documenting the school’s 50 years, features input from present-day pupils, and the front cover was designed by them too.

The school plans to hold reunion events throughout the year for past pupils.

Anyone who is interested in joining in should send an e-mail to lisa.artus@ alechunter.essex.sch.uk