HRH Duke of Gloucester visits Brington School

Shirley Hall, Assistant Director of Education and Schools RE Adviser for the Diocese, reports on the recent visit of HRH Duke of Gloucester to Brington Church if England Primary School to celebrate their 40th Anniversary:

HRH the Duke of Gloucester presents children with commemorative coins

Forty years ago HRH the Duchess of Gloucester, opened a brand new school at Brington to serve seven local villages. On the 14th of May 2010 her son, the present Duke of Gloucester, helped the school celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The Duke and Bishop David enjoying a joke

The Duke is a near neighbour of Brington, with an estate at Barnwell. He told the children how he visited their village regularly to buy bird seed from one of the school's former pupils!

The celebrations began with the Duke and Bishop David accompanying head Allyson Watkins on a tour of the school, followed by judging the cake competition (the cakes were much enjoyed by all the guests later in the proceedings!).

Bishop David comparing the school's growth like the tree planted at the school by the late Duchess of Gloucester

The Duke and the school's head Allyson Watkins

A short service followed in which the assembly sang 'Saviour, teach me day by day', the hymn which had been sung when the school opened all those years ago. Revd Jackie Duck led a prayer of rededication, and Bishop David talked with the children about how they and the school should grow like the beautiful blossom laden plum tree in their courtyard which the Duchess had planted on her first visit.

The school's new logo

The school has taken the opportunity of this special anniversary to re-design their school logo - the new design is an attractive silhouette showing the local church with the school nestling beside it, children at play, and local farmland, the whole showing church and school in partnership together at the heart of the community. The Duke helped the headteacher present the children with their own commemorative coins with the design (and received one himself). You can also see the design in pride of place outside the school.

The afternoon was much enjoyed by staff, pupils and invited guests, many of whom went on to re-live their own time at the school as staff or pupils as they looked through the school's collection of photographs and logbooks.

Congratulations to all at Brington - now what are you planning for your 50th anniversary to top this?!