IT WILL be 20 years come September that a small group of children first walked through the gates of Braidside Integrated Primary and Nursery School.
Since September 1989, hundreds of youngsters have benefitted from attending the school where currently 347 children are enrolled in 13 primary classes.
The school was founded two decades ago by a core group of parents, working with support from NI
CIE, and opened in a former factory building.
Braidside moved to its current purpose-built site at Frys Road in September, 1992.
Additional classrooms were added over the years as the school has grown and a part-time 26-place nursery unit is thriving.
To celebrate the landmark anniversary of 20 successful years', the school is holding a Gala Dinner on Friday, October 9, in Leighinmohr House Hotel at 7.30pm.
Those who attend will be welcomed by a drinks reception followed by a four course dinner and then dancing to live music into the wee small hours.
Tickets for the anniversary dinner, which is open only to over 18s, are now available from the school office, priced £25 each.
If you are a past pupil but can't attend, the school would love you to get in touch - to hear about your life after Braidside and your memories of your time at the school.
Just send in your thoughts via e-mail, adding the dates that you were a pupil, plus some 'then and now' photographs if you can to info@braidsideintegratedps.ballymena.no.sch.uk
The hope is to stage a 'Then & Now' exhibition celebrating former pupils and staff at the Gala Dinner and at other events which are being planned for the 20th anniversary year.
