Today, The Countess of Wessex visited The Chorister School in Durham - the school is celebrating 600 years since its foundation. The school is located at World Heritage Site - Grade I listed building adjacent to Durham Cathedral - one of the great buildings of Europe, set grandly on a rocky promontory next to the Durham Castle.
courtesy of Ian Britton - Premier Christian Radio Regional Producer for the North. Click on pic to be redirected & view more images of the visit.
The Countess was greeted by dignitaries including Sue Snowdon, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham; Councillor Jan Blakey, the Mayor of Durham; and the Reverend Canon David Kennedy, Acting Dean of Durham.
After arrival and welcome ceremony by school's staff and children, The Countess was taken on a tour of this historic school. Sophie saw pupils at work in Science and Design Technology lessons and at the Art Room, where children were working on a specially commissioned glass art installation in the form of a tree, for which every pupil has created a glass leaf with local artist Janet Rogers.
courtesy of Ian Britton - Premier Christian Radio Regional Producer for the North. Click on pic to be redirected & view more images of the visit.
The Countess also had a chance to create a glass leaf for the school's anniversary art installation by adding small glass pieces to a Union flag-themed leaf.
Following the tour of the school, The Countess officialy opened the newly designed and refurbished School Yard and Garden, which includes a specially created labyrinth.
courtesy of Ian Britton - Premier Christian Radio Regional Producer for the North. Click on pic to be redirected & view more images of the visit.
To conclude her visit, HRH unveiled a plaque and cut a specially commissioned cake, which has been designed as a school-memories timeline by Kelly-Ann Smith of Kelly Ann's Cakes, a parent of one of the pupils.
courtesy of Ian Britton - Premier Christian Radio Regional Producer for the North. Click on pic to be redirected & view more images of the visit.
According to The Northern Echo, the huge cake had numerous features highlighting elements of the school’s history, but the Countess wisely chose not to cut into the figure of Tony Blair, joking that she was not “making a political statement”. She then told Mrs Smith it was the best cake she had ever seen. Well, I must agree, it was amazing! The Countess of Wessex also signed visitor's book and was given flowers.
courtesy of Ian Britton - Premier Christian Radio Regional Producer for the North. Click on pic to be redirected & view more images of the visit.
Ahead of the visit, The Headmistress, Yvette Day, said: “We are delighted to welcome HRH The Countess of Wessex to The Chorister School to mark the occasion of the 600th anniversary of our foundation. This will be the highlight of our year of celebrations and it is with great excitement we will look forward to our future, and the opportunities it will afford to nurture and develop the unique experience of an exceptional education on this wonderful World Heritage Site where Durham Cathedral is our neighbour.”
The Acting Dean of Durham, Canon David Kennedy, said: “Here at the Cathedral we are all enormously proud of the work of The Chorister School and delighted that HRH The Countess of Wessex has come to celebrate with everyone today on this special occasion, marking such an historic milestone.”
The School was founded before the Reformation (1416) to educate the Choristers (at that time only boys) who sang in Durham Cathedral. Since then it has expanded and now offers a unique co-educational day and boarding experience to girls and boys, aged 3 to 13. Former pupils include The Right Honourable Tony Blair (former Prime Minister) and actor Rowan Atkinson, famed for his sitcom Mr Bean.
The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, usually known as Durham Cathedral and home of the Shrine of St Cuthbert, is a cathedral in the city of Durham, England, the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Durham. The bishopric dates from 995, with the present cathedral being founded in AD 1093. The cathedral is regarded as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with nearby Durham Castle, which faces it across Palace Green.
courtesy of Ian Britton - Premier Christian Radio Regional Producer for the North. Click on pic to be redirected & view more images of the visit.
The Chorister School will be holding further celebrations throughout the year and on 18th June a Service of Thanksgiving will be held in Durham Cathedral where Terry Waite will preach.
courtesy of Ian Britton - Premier Christian Radio Regional Producer for the North. Click on pic to be redirected & view more images of the visit.
Article, short video & lots of great HQ pictures of the visit at The Northern Echo, click here. Another article can be found here. There also will be the radio report on Premier Christian Radio at 7:50am tomorrow on the 20th April. Update: Here's coverage by Christian Radio.
In other news, tomorrow HRH will be very busy touring Northumberland with 6 different engagements. Coverage at blog in due time. Also tomorrow at Sky News, 9pm UK time, you will be able to view the documentary for HM The Queen's 90th Birthday, with a joint interview with The Earl & Countess of Wessex! Are you excited? I know I am.
print screen of Sky News doc, provided by my friend, Molly
There also will be a lovely surpise on Thursday. But for now, that's all I can say.
Outfit & jewellery: Sandro Valina Jacket. Burberry London Lace Pencil skirt. UFO earrings which debuted during visit to Plymuth. No ID. Sophie Habsburg Beanbag in leather. Similar style but in rafia here. T square Tiffany bracelet. Prada Brown Suede Pointtoe Pumps. Watch by Longines, I believe from "Le Grande Classic" collection.
The Chorister School celebrated its 600th Anniversary with The Countess of Wessex
Rating: 4.5
Diposkan Oleh: sho fia
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