THE children may come and go, but one pre-school has been caring for them since 1969.

The Chestnut Trees Pre-school, based at the Memorial Hall in Shrivenham, celebrated it’s 40th anniversary yesterday with a birthday cake and picnic.

The group, set up and run by parents who employ professional staff, caters for 26 children aged between two-and-a-half and four-and-a-half.

The pre-school relies on regular fundraising events to keep it going, but attracts many children from Shrivenham and families based at the Defence Academy in Watchfield. Organisers invited pupils from Shrivenham Primary School because they knew many were ex-attendees.

Matthew Thorne, who chairs the parents’ committee, said: “It’s always been part of the community for the last 40 years.

“It’s a parent run pre-school run by parents for the children.

“We fundraise and put it back into the community.”

Also at the celebration was co-founder and long-term Shrivenham resident Jean Allen, who founded the pre-school with Eileen Wilkes who now lives in Cricklade.

Mrs Allen said Mrs Wilkes, who came up with the idea, was unable to attend due to ill health.

“She just thought there was a need for another nursery school and we have this big hall here and it was the ideal place,” said Mrs Allen. “It’s thriving now, not that it ever didn’t.

“It has changed and there is more room up here, it’s lovely.”

A further celebration is planned tomorrow at the Memorial Hall which is open to anyone. There will be craft activities and entertainment for the children, refreshments and a chance to share memories. There will be old photographs displayed on the walls of pre-school pupils over the years.

For more information call 01793 784088 or 01793 780638 or visit www.chestnuttreespreschool.co.uk.