A Porthmadog school will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year and preparations have begun.

Ysgol Eifionydd was founded in 1894, and to celebrate 125 years, the school is hoping to organise a number of joint activities with the local community.

One of those events is a concert which will take place at Y Ganolfan, Porthmadog in March. This will be in the company of current and former pupils.

Recalling the history of the school, headteacher Dewi Bowen said: “The Porthmadog County School or ‘Cownti Sgwl’ as it was known opened its gates for the first time in 1894.

“Its first location was at the Madoc Arms Hotel, Tremadog before moving to its current location in 1897. Mr John Rhys Evans MA was our first headteacher with just 50 boys and 30 girls attending. Local people managed to raise the princely sum of £1,040 to build the school with the county contributing £560.”

He added: “We have seen quite a few changes since then, however the original Victorian building is still standing as part of a larger complex.”

Of the school’s plans to celebrate the anniversary, he added: “In order to celebrate the event we have invited both past and present pupils and staff to a coffee evening in the school. To close the celebrations we will hold a sporting tournament along with our feeder primary schools during the summer.”

To support the celebrations, the school has asked for donations. A letter to parents said: “In order to fund the activities we are asking for financial support towards the costs.”