A CLACKS nursery has marked 50 years of early education for children with a week of celebratory events.

Many things have changed since Sauchie Nursery School first opened its doors to the first cohort on October 6 in 1971.

However, Sauchie Early Learning Centre (ELC) – as it is known today – remains at the heart of the community five decades on.

Celebrations to mark the milestone kicked off on Monday, October 4, with a special community event hosted at Sauchie Hall.

Staff worked hard to create a timeline of children, staff, friends and families from across the decades with images and stories.

In a letter shared after the event, former headteacher Moira Bruce said: "What a memorable day this has been. I am so happy to have been part of it

"The staff have created a meander through the years of the life of the nursery, but more significantly have represented the passing years of all."

The following day saw a bake off at the ELC with staff and children preparing treats to celebrate the official 50th birthday on the Wednesday, which arrived with a bang.

There were cakes, dancing and more with thanks going to Vish and Mudit from USave on Gartmorn Road for hot drinks and slushes for 10p for all who visited on the day – £50 was raised and gifted to the nursery.

On Thursday, a sponsored obstacle course race was held at the nursery, which received various accolades over the years, most recently the first diamond accreditation in the Forth Valley from the speech and language service.

The celebrations continued on Friday when families had the opportunity to get involved.

The party was cooled down when a bunch of brave parents and staff were slimed in the #sauchieslimechallenge.

Lynsey Graham, head of Sauchie ELC, said: "Firstly, I want to thank the Sauchie team for their efforts in organising this week and making everything so special for the children and families, past and present.

"Thank you to Sauchie Hall for hosting this event and the community for all their contributions and visiting us on this special day.

"Also, a huge thank you to the families for their continued support with everything we do."

Money raised this year will help fund a grand celebration on June 18 next year, support a commemorative bench in the town and enable a children's enterprise project.

The project will be aimed at building stronger community relations with connections to heritage and history – all while enhancing children's knowledge of their area.

"This will support our children to develop skills for life, learning and work", continued the head.

"It is a privilege to be part of this wonderful service and I look forward to an exciting year ahead."

The celebrations will not stop there and parents are advised to check out the community information board outside the nursery for upcoming events.

The nursery is also raising funds to support community projects, to donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sauchie-mouse