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WCS Independent School Somerset Accession Day Cathedral Thanksgiving Platinum Jubilee Service

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at Wells Cathedral School

Wells Cathedral School has celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne with a thanksgiving service and tree planting ceremony.

At 9am on Monday 7th February, staff and pupils gathered in Wells Cathedral for a special service of thanksgiving, which incorporated words, prayers and music. The Dean of Wells gave an engaging address highlighting the Queen’s long, dedicated service to the nation, the Junior School Choir gave a beautiful rendition of an anthem by John Rutter, and the Chapel Choir were joined by brass, percussion and organ for a magnificently stirring performance of Parry’s “I was glad”, which was performed at the Queen’s Coronation.

The School was honoured to welcome a number of very special guests to the service, including the High Sheriff of Somerset, the Mayor of Wells, George Bunting (representing Old Wellensians), Arnold Wills (representing the Chorister Trust) as well as Governors of the School.

After the service, these honoured guests headed back to the School where they were joined by the Vice Lord Lieutenant for Somerset, who joined with some of the School’s youngest pupils to plant a tree on Cedars Lawn. This tree planting was in celebration of the Queen’s Green Canopy, and was the first of many plantings that will take place at the School this year.

The tree planting ceremony brought recollections of a visit to the School in 1978 by The Prince of Wales, who is the School’s Patron. In celebration of the Silver Jubilee, he planted a beautiful “Blue Atlas” cedar tree on Cedar’s Lawn. 44 years later, the tree has grown and flourished and is now a magnificent fixture of the School, much loved by pupils, parents, staff and visitors.

Head Master Alastair Tighe said:

“We have enjoyed a fabulous day today, celebrating both the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and our ongoing patronage of the Prince of Wales. We very much share our Patron’s commitment to sustainability and environmental issues, and it was so wonderful to be able to plant a tree that will be loved by generations to come. It was also very fitting that we could perform a piece by Parry, the Prince’s favourite composer in our Thanksgiving Service. We hope that our own pupils can feel inspired by the Queen’s sense of duty, and her astonishing service over 70 years. All of us at the School wish her a very happy Platinum Jubilee year!”

WCS Independent School Somerset Accession Day Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Celebration Service