Royal visitor to school

IT was the first ever visit to the Landport estate at Lewes by a member of the Royal Family but precious few residents turned out to see him.

The Duke of Gloucester dropped in on Tuesday afternoon to tour the newly extended and refurbished Pells Primary School.

But because of security, the visit was not publicised beforehand.

The Sussex Express reporter was the only Lewes resident in the street to see the Duke arrive with his entourage on a wet and windy day.

Inside the school, however, it was a different matter.

The Duke unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit and then spent over an hour with staff, Governors, Friends of Pells School and children.

Among the guests were the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Phyllida Stewart-Roberts, Acting Chief Constable Maria Wallis and East Sussex Assistant Director of Education Michael Nix.

The children sang songs, including the Pells school song and their own sung version of The Lord s Prayer. They also read poems they had written on the theme of the Royal Visit and Amy-Jane Groves from year six led the recorder players with the tune from Titanic.

The Duke visited all the classrooms and talked with children and staff. He was then presented with a book of memories of the old junior school in Talbot Terrace by eldest boy Jamie Beal.

The Lord Lieutenant was presented with a posy of flowers by eldest girl Lucy Richards.

Parents arriving to pick up their children at 3.10pm were able to wave the Duke goodbye as he left by car.

Said head teacher Valerie Cobb: 'We are very proud of our achievements here at the Pells and welcomed the opportunity to show His Royal Highness the high standard of teaching, commitment of all staff and quality of work produced by the children.

'It was a very enjoyable afternoon.