Prince lands to excited scenes
Pupils waving Union flags today welcomed Prince Edward into their Wolverhampton school. The Earl of Wessex sparked excited scenes after landing in the playing fields of the Royal Wolverhampton School in a helicopter where he was greeted by jubilant youngsters.
The prince, a patron of the school, was there to officially open a £2.5million swimming pool complex which has risen from the ashes of one destroyed by fire.
Headteacher Tim Waters said this afternoon it was a "momentous day".
"It was a fantastic occasion," he said.
"It was obviously a very exciting day for us, firstly that he has taken the time from a busy schedule to do us the honour of opening the facility and secondly for him to see what will be a superb facility in its final form or thereabouts.
"The pupils have been excited and delighted that they have been given the chance to see him and meet him, but at the same time they have taken it in their stride."
"We wanted to put in its place something the city and the whole of the West Midlands could be proud of," he added.
"We are delighted to see that come to fruition.
"I hope that over time it will be recognised as the leading facility in the area and one that my school will be proud to have."
Security at the school was stepped up in preparation for the royal visitor, who was there for the ceremony alongside vice-patrons the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, the mayor and mayoress of the city and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands.
The school's old swimming pool went up in flames in February last year, leaving youngsters stranded in freezing temperatures in wet costumes.
An explosion caused the timber roof to cave in minutes later.
The fire came just 18 months after a £100,000 refurbishment which included a new roof.
By Andy Rea
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