Queen of the heirwaves
FOR the second time this year, Queensferry was graced with royalty when Camilla, Duchess of Rothesay, visited the High School on Tuesday.
Arriving to a rousing reception from Queensferry High's brass band, a tanned Camilla dressed in a navy lapelled jacket teamed with a navy and cream polka dot skirt, was welcomed to the burgh by Edinburgh's Lord Provost George Grubb, the Lady Provost and head teacher Robert Birch.
The Duchess (61) visited Queensferry as part of her annual holiday to Scotland with Charles, before travelling to Edinburgh in the evening.
Escorted by the Lord Provost, the Duchess viewed a display of the school's Celebration of Talent with everything from art and design costumes, creative writing to international sports honours on display.
Visiting the music department, award winning singer and pupil Rebecca Clark sang Mariah Carey's "Hero" to an enraptured Duchess, who praised her talent and hoped she would be a big star next time they met.
One of the many highlights of the tour was community radio station Jubilee1, the first professional, full-time radio station in the UK to be based within a school for pupils to hone their broadcasting and producing skills.
Named in honour of the Queen's Golden Jubilee when it was set up in 2002, it is run by broadcaster Charles Fletcher. Charles said: "It's terrific to have the Duchess visit. It's a tribute to the unique partnership between the station and the school and to everyone who plays a part in making it work."
Camilla was invited to sit at the recording desk with pupils as they recorded their weekly talk and music broadcast especially for the royal visit entitled "Finnie and Fletch Go To The Palace."
Listening to the production, she said: "The ad-libbing was brilliant – I was very impressed. There would be a temptation to spend all day in here!"
At a reception catered for by third year Home Economics pupils, headteacher Robert Birch said he was delighted to welcome the Duchess and that pupils had been very excited to meet her.
He added: "It's a huge honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to Queensferry High School and we are all are very excited to have the chance to show off the radio station. We're tremendously proud of the pupils for all their hard work and professionalism in making this so successful."
Camilla was then invited to unveil a plaque commemorating her visit and signed the guest book.
Thanking the school for the visit, the Duchess added: "I have been so impressed with this school and its enthusiastic atmosphere. I have had a wonderful time."
After a vote of thanks from head girl Eilidh Stewart, the Duchess was presented with a bouquet from S2 pupil Emma Stark.
editorial@journalandgazette.co.uk
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Weather for Queensferry
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: West
