28 April 2011
The new Bishop of Reading joined Church of
England school pupils in Bucklebury - home to the Middleton family
- for a playground 'street party' today on the eve of the Royal
Wedding.
The Rt Revd Andrew Proud, until recently Area Bishop of Ethiopia
and the Horn of Africa, joined pupils and staff for the party to
celebrate the forthcoming wedding of Prince William and Catherine
Middleton. Bishop Andrew and the Vicar of All Saints, Upper
Bucklebury, the Revd Jules Gadsby were among special guests invited
by the children. The invitation list also included the royal couple
and the Middleton family.
Speaking at the event, Bishop Andrew said: "I'm delighted to be
joining in the festivities here in Catherine Middleton's home
village as we look forward to the Royal Wedding tomorrow. It's
wonderful to be here celebrating with the children at the heart of
the local community at Bucklebury Church of England School, where
of course we also celebrate another significant milestone this
year, the 200th anniversary of church schools*, which
provide state education with a distinctive Christian
ethos."
Earlier this month children from the school recorded a
'Celebration Song' for the Royal Wedding and sent a copy of the CD
to the couple. The playground 'street party' and song were
the idea of the school council.
The song was recorded in All Saints Church, Upper Bucklebury,
which has close ties with the school. Vicar of All Saints the Revd
Jules Gadsby also attended the party as a special guest of the
children.
All Saints will also be celebrating with a peal of bells ringing
out after the wedding tomorrow and a special service for the
renewal of marriage vows on Sunday.