Madam, 

Amidst all the royal reminiscences filling the media just now, it is perhaps worth recalling that Queen Elizabeth II once visited Bromsgrove, I believe the only reigning monarch to do so.

By the turn of the millennium, North Bromsgrove High School’s buildings were showing clear evidence of the county council’s neglect but eventually, it was agreed that the school deserved some investment so a new entrance, offices and number of classrooms were constructed.

We were keen to celebrate this long-awaited boost and decided to start at the top by inviting the Queen to open the new building!

To our surprise and delight, the palace accepted the invitation and on a lovely sunny day, the Queen arrived, declared the new building open and then toured the school, meeting a number of student and staff groups.

There was then a short assembly in the school hall to thank Her Majesty for her visit and, after the playing of the national anthem by the school orchestra and three cheers from the whole school, she left having spent much more time with us than we had expected.

Everything that has been said elsewhere, about the Queen’s warmth, interest in people and ability to put others at their ease, was amply demonstrated that afternoon and I doubt that anyone who witnessed it will ever forget the day Queen Elizabeth II came to Bromsgrove.

Kevin Peck,

Headteacher, North Bromsgrove High School, 1991-2002.