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5
ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Upper 1 has seen its fair share of VIP visitors this year. In the
wake of the visit by the England Ruby squad in September,
we were proud to host the launch of the Oxfordshire Poppy
Appeal earlier this month. Two Puma helicopters flew from
RAF Benson with Group Captain Hamish Cormack, Benson
Station Commander, plus eight of our senior cadets on board
and made a spectacular landing on Upper 1. As Sixth Former
Nick Elliott (
Aldro
) said, ‘It beats riding a bike to school.’
On the ground to meet the helicopters were
representatives from the Royal British Legion; the Lord
Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson; pupils from
Teddies and other local schools; and our guest of honour,
WWII veteran Ken Hicks. Now 95, Ken enthralled pupils
with his tales of dodging bombs in the Battle of Britain.
Fifth Former Damola Otegbola (
St John’s Beaumont
) said,
‘It was amazing to meet Ken. We learn about these things
in History lessons – but he was actually there.’
The Poppy Appeal Launch
Group Captain Hamish Cormack, Station Commander at RAF Benson, accompanied by our cadets, presents the first tray of poppies to 95-year-old WWII
veteran Ken Hicks.
Alessandro Corrias
Cpl
Tony Hawke
Cpl
Tony Hawke
Nick Coram-Wright
Cpl
Tony Hawke
Nellie Bates (
The Brigidine
) captures the view from above.
Alessandro Corrias (
Pinewood
) and fellow
pupils enjoy one of the Pumas.
Jess MacLeod (
Swanbourne House
) and Lila Pollen (
Kitebrook
) try out the hot seats.