Memorable Year 9 Trip to Belgium

The Year 9 trip to the First World War battlefields and memorials took place from 15th to 17th July this year and was as powerful and memorable as ever. We were able to go to the Menin Gate, Ypres on Saturday 15th. Will Knight, Charlie Roberts, Angel Justus and Jessie Narramore were selected to lay the Clyst Vale wreath.

As this is 100 years since the third battle of Ypres, our stay at the Peace Village, Messines was especially poignant. Daniel Madams, Alex Rogers, Kiera Raynor-Johnson and Jasmine Pereira Piccoli laid wreaths at the Messines Ridge Cemetery.

We visited the Somme and the beautiful Thiepval Memorial. Our coach driver, Ian, then helped us find the Lonsdale Cemetery, tucked away in beautiful farmland, where W Gregory, a Broadclyst resident and great uncle of James Clark, is buried. James was the first family member to visit this grave so this was a very special addition to our visit.

As ever these trips are difficult to arrange and supervise but I am sure that the students found it a very worthwhile and important visit.

My thanks to Miss Matthews, Miss Jenkins and Mr Salisbury for giving up their weekend to run this trip.

Mrs Padden

Head of History