A FORMER pupil of Pocklington School is raising a glass of his own very special brew to commemorate his alma mater’s 500th anniversary.

Tom Mellor, who runs Wold Top Brewery, near Hunmanby, has teamed up with the Old Pocklingtonian Association to create Old Pock Founder’s Ale.

Association president Tom Nash said: “We wanted to create a bespoke beer to help celebrate the anniversary.

“Five hundred years of the school being here in Pocklington is a fantastic achievement and only two other schools in the whole country still have their original medieval charter and seal, which we have reproduced on the label. “It is lovely light amber ale, just as well served at room temperature or chilled, and the feedback so far has been very positive.”

Proceeds from the sale of Old Pock will be shared between the Old Pocklingtonian Association and the school’s Project Archive 1514 appeal.

The appeal is raising funds to build an archive room next to the school library in preparation for the 500th anniversary of Pocklington School in 2014.

Andrew Dawes, the deputy head of Pocklington School, said: “The school has so many interesting historical artefacts, trophies, uniforms, documents and photographs in its archive collection.

“Being able to put these on display for pupils, staff and visitors alike to view, research, and enjoy the school’s rich history and, hopefully, to add to it over the next 500 years, will be a fantastic resource for both the school and the wider community.”

Old Pock is available from C&N Wines in Market Place, Pocklington.