Photo Credit: Alan Walters
Pupils at Oakham School recently took part in a special tree planting ceremony with HRH The Duke of Gloucester to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Memorial Orchard in Rutland.
Form 7 pupils Alex, Amy and Joshua, met the Duke at the Rutland County Showground to help plant the tree for the orchard.
The three pupils are currently in the process of completing their Gold D of E award at the School and met the Duke to speak about their experiences of this accolade.
The Duke talked to Amy about the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and the experience of doing D of E as a direct entrant. He also talked to Josh and Alex about sailing D of E and joked that this sounded easier than walking up hills.
Alex said: “It was great to be recognised by someone of such high esteem for our effort in the D of E scheme. We talked about the substantial effect that the D of E scheme has had on a generation of young people.”
The Memorial Orchard is filled with rare trees, including the newly-planted apple tree, and during the event a plaque commemorating the Duke of Edinburgh was revealed along with a bas relief.
James Robinson, Deputy Head Co-Curriculum at Oakham School, added: “The visit went really well, and it was a fitting occasion to celebrate the enormous amount of work the Duke of Edinburgh did during his long life to inspire young people and to encourage them to develop their skills and challenge themselves to be the best they can be.
“The Duke of Gloucester was really pleased that the D of E award was a focus for the visit and thoroughly enjoyed meeting pupils engaged in their award.”
The Duke of Gloucester visited Oakham School in 2010 to commemorate the centenary of Oakham CCF. Find out more about Oakham School.
Photo credit: Alan Walters
