KING EDWARD’S WITLEY FLYING HIGH AT THE LORD MAYOR’S SHOW

On Saturday 10 November King Edward’s Witley proudly reaffirmed its deep-rooted links with the City of London by participating in the world-famous Lord Mayor’s Show, to celebrate the appointment of Alderman Peter Estlin - Governor and former King Edward’s Witley pupil and Head Boy - as the newly elected Lord Mayor of the City of London. 28 girls and boys from King Edward’s and 4 children from its partner school Barrow Hills, accompanied by their teachers, made the 55 minute train journey from Witley Station to Waterloo and then to the City.

There they joined in the extraordinary pageantry and drama associated with the 3-mile long procession of military, marching bands, floats and carriages, all proclaiming the new Lord Mayor’s theme for his year in office: “Shaping tomorrow’s city today” and championing the digital innovation that is shaping our future, our cities and our lives. The School’s float (and did you know the word “float” in carnivals originates from when the Lord Mayor’s Procession took place on the Thames?) took 9th spot out of a total of 149 in the procession, behind the Royal Marines, Royal Navy and Sea Cadets, and was the first full-size float to process past the new Lord Mayor at Mansion House in glorious sunshine. Broadcast live on the BBC and witnessed by some 400,000 people on the day, the crowd was thrilled with the School’s ingenious float, which featured a giant paper plane measuring 8 metres by 3 metres with the strapline “Tomorrow’s leaders take off from King Edward’s Witley”.

King Edward’s was the only Surrey based business represented in the colourful parade and one of only seven schools nationwide. The Show marked the climax of an 11-month period of planning, design and construction to create the eye-catching float, which reflected the School’s commitment to providing outstanding careers guidance and preparation for life to help each child reach their full potential. Pupils who took part in the procession wore a variety of hats to demonstrate the diverse range of careers pupils at the School can follow – from surgeons to chefs, engineers to teachers, captains to bishops, athletes to astronauts to Lord Mayor - and the extensive opportunities available at King Edward’s and Barrow Hills School.

King Edward’s Head Boy, Jacob Trevor from Chobham, said “Being part of the parade was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. Seeing such huge crowds and waving to them was a new experience for me and will remain in my mind as a fond memory for a long time. The highlight, however, had to be the look of pure joy on the Lord Mayor’s face as we walked past. That alone made waking up so early worth it!”.

King Edward’s Witley enjoys a unique heritage binding it to the City of London. It was founded in 1553 by Royal Charter of King Edward VI as Bridewell Royal Hospital, housed within Bridewell Palace on the banks of the Thames and with an undertaking to house and teach a trade to the destitute children of London, providing many apprentices to the City. It later moved to Southwark and then relocated to Witley in 1867 as King Edward’s School where it is now an independent boarding and day school for some 400 girls and boys aged 11-18, many of whom come from the local Surrey area studying alongside others from all over the world who have chosen the School for its global and forward-thinking approach.

Commenting on his personal connection with the School, the new Lord Mayor of London said, “I have always been passionate about the role that education can play in shaping the future of young people and, in particular, encouraging a more inclusive society that offers equal access to an excellent education. King Edward’s Witley is a fine example of championing this belief and it was uplifting to see my former school support the Lord Mayor’s Show with such enthusiasm – and with such an eye-catching float! The School clearly demonstrated the benefits of a great education to spectators watching the world’s oldest and longest civic procession. It was fantastic to see some of tomorrow’s leaders take part.”

Following the Lord Mayor’s Show, the entire float complete with music and dry ice returned to King Edward’s Witley on Monday 12 November so all staff and pupils from both schools could enjoy the float and the giant paper plane at its centrepiece. The plane itself will be suspended from the ceiling in the School’s library as an installation where it will remain, serving as a constant reminder of King Edward’s Witley’s established links with the City of London as well as its role in guiding pupils toward a top-flight career.

www.kesw.org

Tags: King Edward's

TASTE SENSATION SUNDAY

Treat your taste buds to a truly splendid gastronomic experience by visiting ‘Taste’, an exciting new food and crafts festival hosted by King Edward’s School in Witley.

The event is being run by seasoned event organisers Splendid Fairs and Festivals and is free to members of the general public. ‘Taste’ will see the School’s exhibition hall transformed into a bustling food market, showcasing the very best culinary delights produced by locally sourced producers. From scrumptious sushi to award winning curry sauces and pickles, from perfect pizzas to artisan breads and pastries, the list of delicious gourmet goodies on display is endless - and even if you don’t buy, you certainly won’t go home hungry after visiting the wide range of exhibitors! The festival will also include an array of stalls featuring local crafts.

Exhibitors include:
The Tinderbox – Woodfire pizza
Flax & Mallow – Country garden gifts and accessories
Let’s Sushi – Packed sushi and sushi ingredients
RSPB – Conservation work
ollo foods – Award winning curry sauces and pickles, Indian street food
Jenny Robbins – Handmade fused glass pieces, pendants, dishes, platters and bowls
Chalk Hill Bakery – Artisan breads and pastries
Chilli Jam Factory – Chilli jams, chutneys and traditional / unusual jams
Taste of Vietnam – Offering delicious traditional cuisine from Vietnam
Spotted Beetroot Designs – Handmade jewellery
Dulci Bella Marshamallows – Handmade handpiped marshmallows and lollipops
Bee Cosmetics – Honey, honey fudge and natural skin care products made from beeswax and honey, beeswax candles and polish
Cocoa Antics – Hot chocolate spoons
My Secret Kitchen – ‘secret’ products to transform any meal
Garlic Wood Farm – Serving steak burgers, rare breed pork and herb sausages
Jimmy Ginger’s Fine Chillies – Savour the hottest tastes in town
Podgy Pieman – pick of the finest pies and sausage rolls
Riverford Home Delivery – Organic vegetables, fruit and meat delivered directly to your door
The Ice Cream Bike – Cool down with the ultimate iced treat
Sugarush – selection of sweet treats
The Art of Curry – Freshly cooked artisan curry sauces

Taste is open from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on Sunday 22 March. Ample free parking is also available.

For further details contact info@splendidoccasions.co.uk or marketing@kesw.org.

Tags: What's On, Witley, King Edward's, School

Guys and Dolls - a musical fable of Broadway by Damon Runyon with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, which is the School’s major production this academic year.

The production features significant collaboration between the performing arts departments of Drama, Dance and Music and involves more than 50 pupils, ranging from 13 to 17 years old. The musical nature of this production allows access to a range of performance styles and pupils are benefiting from working alongside professional choreographers during rehearsals.

The obsessive gamblers of New York congregate to mount an all-time monumental dice game on which everything hangs for desperate Nathan Detroit and suave Sky Masterson, will wily Detective Brannigan of the New York Police Department, the mob and a host of girlfriends from the ‘Hot Box’ cabaret get in the way? Find out by joining us for one of our performances.

Tickets are £5.00 per adult and £2.50 for concessions available through the Box Office. Contact boxoffice@kesw.org or telephone 01428 686 700.

Tags: Guys and Dolls, King Edward's, Witley, Broadway, Frank Loesser, Damon Runyon