Maguiresbridge

Across the county, many schools celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a range of activities and events.

For Maguiresbridge Primary School, Coronation celebration preparations started early.

The school applied and were successful in obtaining a Coronation grant from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, which they were very appreciative of.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, school principal Honor Irvine explained that classes then researched the significance of the Coronation ceremony and all the symbolism that would be involved.

“Staff and pupils agreed to plan and host a community Coronation parade and tea party,” she said, noting that the pupils got creative and designed and made beautiful class banners to use in the parade.

“We also ran a crown competition where at home, children designed and made crowns to wear at the event. These were judged by Rev. Rodney Beacom, Chairperson of the Board of Governors.”

On Friday, May 5, the colourful parade left the school at 10am accompanied by members of Ballindaragh Accordion band. The school community were very grateful to the band members for giving up their time.

“The children all came dressed as kings and queens and they looked amazing,” said Mrs. Irvine, explaining that the parade was interspersed by a selection of vintage cars driven by friends and family of Maguiresbridge PS.

“The village was lined by family, friends and members of the community and the children enjoyed the experience. Thankfully, the rain stayed off until the end of the parade,” she added.

Those watching the parade were all invited back to the primary school to enjoy a Coronation tea party, served on the finest china. The school hall was packed and everyone enjoyed the celebrations.

After a specially prepared Coronation lunch, there was a prizegiving event, bouncy castles and a disco.

Pupils and staff were all presented with a beautiful commemorative Coronation bookmark as a keepsake.

“It was a wonderful day that was enjoyed by pupils, staff and the community – something they will remember for a long time,” Mrs. Irvine told this newspaper.

Brookeborough

In addition to Coronation events elsewhere in the county, Brookeborough Primary School is holding its own major Coronation celebration event next Friday, May 19, taking place in the evening at Colebrooke Estate.

Organised by the school’s superb PTFA, the event will include a parade and flute band, with the children dressing up for the day, with Viscount Brookeborough, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for the County of Fermanagh, also due to be present for the school’s Coronation festivities.