400th Anniversary of the Elms School Colwall – 24th May 2014

A service of thanksgiving was held in the Cathedral on 24th May 2014 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Elms School.  Refreshments were offered afterwards at the Elms School.  HM Lord Lieutenant for Hererfordshire and the High Sheriff attended.  There were readings by The Chairman of the Governors, Nat Hone and the Headmaster, Alastair Thomas. Cllr The Revd. Prebendary Carl Attwood preached the sermon and the School Chaplain, The Revd. Melanie Horton, led the prayers. The history of the school was beautifully narrated and dramatized by Freddie zu Wied, Henry Forbes, Eleanor Houlbrooke, Felix Gilliat-Smith, Lucas Dewe, Georgie Voelker, Hugh Falconer, Daisy McMullen, Harry Townsend, Jude Martin, Jetty Russel and Amber Anderson. Fingal Dickens played excerpts form Chanson de Matin by Elgar.  The Elms School Choir led the singing and performed a version of Psalm 121 by Michael Baughan and an arrangement by Rutter of “For the Beauty of the Earth”. The Bishop of Worcester blessed the new school banner and dismissed the congregation.