The former Fylingdales Playgroup, now a pre-school group, was started by Diane Noble in the village’s old scout hut.

It operated three mornings a week at a cost of 50p a session to pay for heating and local mums hailed it as a blessing.

Diane recalled how the morning milk was often frozen in winter, jumble sales were held to raise money for equipment and how her husband built a Wendy house while another helper made a painting easel.

The group belonged to the Tufty Club to learn road safety and the children were taught to know their names, ages and addresses – Diane was determined that no playgroup child would get lost on shopping trips.

The children made buns and shook cream in a jar to make butter, discovered 101 things to make out of an egg box and learnt their colours with the help of Smarties.

Each year there was an annual sponsored toddle but the highlight was always the summer outing, once to Lightwater Valley then to Flamingo Park to visit the animals.

Later, the playgroup moved to the Methodist schoolroom in Fylingthorpe – a great improvement because it had a small garden and a large storeroom to keep all the equipment.

Although many of the children pictured have remained in the area and contribute significantly to the community, some have left and gone on to achieve in a diverse way, including several who have joined the Armed Forces and spent time in troubled areas including Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

Among the mothers who made use of the group in its earlier days is Carolyn Patterson who said: “As a young mother coming into the village from many miles away I remain eternally grateful to Diane and her playgroup.

“It gave my four children a safe environment to play in and learn social skills and it gave me immediate contact with other young mums.

“It greatly helped the family’s integration into an area so far away from our family and friends.”

Andrew Fewster has recently celebrated his own 30th birthday and recalled his time there in 1981.

Now he’s taking his own children to it and said: “I have fond memories of wooden trikes and the lovely ladies that ran it who are still interested in the children and have now seen two generations grow up.”

Sam Glaysher, who chairs the group’s management committee, said: “Being so rural and in an area with many young families it is a vital community asset, particularly for those who would find it hard to get to Whitby.”

The group, now led by Vicky Hopper with three staff, is registered for 13 children and after Easter will be open daily.

Anyone wanting more information can call Sam Glaysher (01947) 880088.