Bishop David opens Stilton school's Peace Garden

Shirley Hall, Assistant Director of Education and Schools RE Adviser for the Diocese, reports on the recent visit of Bishop David to Stilton Church if England Primary School to open their newly created Peace Garden:

How many children can get under a bishop’s cloak ..... 21!

Bishop David cutting the ribbon

Stilton Church of England School has had quite a bit of building work recently to replace some mobiles and create a new entrance, but the school has also taken the opportunity of creating a “Peace Garden” at the front of the school.

The Peace Garden

The children were all involved in designing the garden, buying plants and pots, and creating the artwork which is on the adjacent wall. The prayer of St Francis also features in the garden. It will be a place where children (and adults) can go to enjoy a quiet moment, and just sit, be peaceful, and think.

The Peace Garden

On June 9th the Peace Garden was officially opened by Bishop David, who cut the traditional ribbon with the aid of the school council. Torrential downpours the day before unfortunately meant that it was impossible for all the school and visitors to congregate in the garden for this, but all came together for a peace service in the school hall instead.

The photographs also show Bishop David and his now famous “how many children can we get under a bishop’s cloak” challenge. Stilton pupils equalled the current record of one squashed bishop and twenty-one children!