A DALE school’s play about Victorian times has been recognised by the Queen.
Children in Class three and four from St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Barnard
Castle, last year began learning about Victorian times and as part of their topic they decided to look into the lives of John and Josephine Bowes who founded The Bowes Museum. They decided to create a play based on what they had learned.
Teacher Anne-Marie Ainsley said: “I wrote the play and then we spoke about the scenarios. Then the children made their own acting.”
As John Bowes had been a member of parliament for 12 years they thought there was a good chance he met Queen Victoria so they wrote her into the play. Some 53 parents and dignitaries watched the play being performed at The Bowes Museum in December.
Children were then surprised when early in January they received a letter from Sandringham House from the Queen’s lady-in-waiting Elizabeth Leeming. She wrote: “Her Majesty was interested to learn about the play which you performed at The Bowes Museum on December 4. The Queen greatly appreciated your kind thought for her, and Her Majesty hopes you all had a wonderful time at this special event.”
