16 Jul 2004 - Official Opening of The Downley School and Maplewood School

Baroness Ashton accompanied by Baroness Crawley visited us today to officially open The Downley and Maplewood Schools. She was welcomed by the school's woodwind players and spoke to each of them to praise their excellent playing.

After cutting a ribbon in the school colours she was entertained by the country dancers, the junior choir and the senior choir. The entertainment was planned to take place in the playground but due to the weather we had to quickly move everyting into the hall. This did not deter the children in the slightest and they performed magnificently! The pupils of Maplewood especially enjoyed the country dancing and clapped along in time with graet gusto.

After a short address to the children she was given a guided tour of both schools. She visited every class in the school and finally joined the staff, governors and invited guests in the hall for lunch.

The Baroness said there was much she enjoyed about her job in the House of Lords but the chance to come into schools and meet the children was the best bit of all.

Jim Curtis, Chair of Governors to Maplewood School, has presented a Maple tree which will be planted in the school grounds to commemorate the official opening. Due to the rainy weather the children were not able to see much of the tree so in September we will have a special plaque unveiling that all the children can be part of.

All the children in The Downley School were given a specially commissioned pen as a souvenir of the day.