Community champions in torch relay around Shotley peninsula
By Derek Davis 20th May 2022
More than 1,000 people, including hundreds of schoolchildren on the Shotley peninsula today turned out to cheer torchbearers being carried in a rickshaw to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
A senior nurse, international rugby player, a year 12 pupil and a hugely resected fundraiser were among the community champions representing villages from Holbrook to Shotley Gate as part of the Festival of Suffolk's Torch Relay.
The day started with more than 700 RHS pupils and staff lining the road in Holbrook as Deborah Sweeney (Lead Sister in Charge at RHS) and Charlie Allison (Yr 12 pupil and RHS Charity Representative) passed through the school on a rickshaw.
RHS raised their Union flag to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, while the National Anthem played by the school's full marching band.
The school also raised its Admiralty-approved Blue Ensign flag to respect those who died at sea.
Deborah Sweeney was nominated to be a torchbearer for her tireless work in Suffolk hospitals over many years and more recently for RHS throughout the pandemic.
Mrs Sweeney, Sister-in-Charge at RHS, said: "It was an honour to have been nominated to be a torchbearer for RHS and a memorable moment for me to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in this way."
Simon Lockyer, Headmaster at Royal Hospital School, said: "Deborah has been pivotal in caring for our boarding pupils, in particular during one of the most challenging times in the school's history - the pandemic. We are delighted to see her get the recognition she deserves through this nomination. It was fabulous for the school to be part of the Torch Relay route and we certainly gave the torchbearers a wonderful musical send-off as it headed on the next leg of its journey."
Year 12 pupil Charlie Allison was also in the rickshaw with Deborah, as the school's charity representative. The school community has raised thousands of pounds for The Suffolk Community Foundation, organisers of the Festival of the Sea, through numerous initiatives.
Olympian Ethan Waddleton took over in Holbrook and after winding its way through Lower Holbrook, Harkstead and Erwarton, community champion Wendy Sadler carried the torch from the Corner Garage to Shotley marina, stopping off at the village hall where dozens of enthusiastic youngsters from Shotley Kidzone, whooped, cheered and waved their flags.
Despite the downpour royalist Wendy loved the journey and said: "It was emotional. It was really, really lovely to see so many people turn out."
After leaving the peninsula, the torch headed towards Belstead, Capel and Copdock and will be at the Hadleigh Show tomorrow where the rickshaw will lead the parade at around 3,30pm.
Dancing sheep as Hadleigh Show returns
The Torch Relay's 588-mile journey around Suffolk started in Brandon on Friday 13 May. It will end at the Suffolk Show on Wednesday 1 June, where it will be a centrepiece for the big Jubilee Pageant at the Showground.
The Royal Hospital School is partnering with the Festival of Suffolk to host its own Festival of the Sea on 11th and 12th June 2022 as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The fun-packed weekend will include a range of nautical activities and is open to the public. For more information and to book tickets, most of which are complimentary, please visit: www.royalhospitalschool.org/fos.
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