Published: Wednesday, 6th December 2023
A Coronation book designed by the children of west Norfolk during the summer term has been delivered to HM The King at Sandringham.
Children from west Norfolk primary and nursery schools were invited to design a page, featuring a Coronation message, drawing, or poem to feature in a special book celebrating the Coronation.
The individual pages have been handbound together by Norfolk-based bookbinders, Peartree Bindery, into a book gifted to the Royal couple as a special memento to end the Coronation year.
Cllr Margaret Wilkinson, Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said:
“This is a very personal and original tribute to The King and Queen from the children of west Norfolk. We have a special association with the Royal family thanks to Sandringham House and the regular visits from The King.
“I’m pleased that as we come to the end of the Coronation year we have been able to deliver this unique, and delightful, handbound book with personal messages from young people in our borough to The King and Queen to mark this historic occasion.”
In addition to the original book, a single copy has been made which will be on show inside Stories of Lynn from Friday 8 December until the end of January 2024, before being added to the Borough Archives.
The Mayor took the copy of the book to Anthony Curton Primary School in Walpole St Peter, one of the schools who had contributed to it, on Monday 4 December 2023 so that some of the students could see their finished work.
On seeing his artwork in the finished book Finley from Year 3, who drew a picture of the King and Queen, said:
“It makes me feel happy.”
Roxy, from year 5, watched the Coronation at home on the TV with her family but visited Sandringham last year with the school and sat having a big picnic on the lawn in front of the Royal house. She drew a picture of a crown and a note because she thought it will make The King happy.
Patrick, from year 6, said:
“I wanted to do this to remember the Coronation of the King and Queen Camilla. It’s a wonderful way for us to welcome them both into their new royal roles.”
Patrick from Year 6 with his contribution, Dawn Liddle the Headteacher, Cllr Wilkinson the Mayor holding the borough copy of the book, Finley from Year 3, Yvonne Gant Teaching Assistant and Roxy from year 5
Yvonne Gant, a Teacher Assistant at the school, worked on the project with students in their afterschool club added:
“We were over the moon to find that our children’s work had been entered. There was a really high standard, so it was hard to pick the final four out of 28 that had been created.
“It is special for our school to have a connection to our head of state. We’re lucky that King Charles has visited Walpole St Peter several times due to his many visits to the Church here.”
Dawn Liddle, Headteacher, said:
“It’s important that the children understand the monarchy and they learn about when there are changes in the monarchy, along with the different people in the royal family.
“It’s also good for the children to know that the royal family come to Norfolk a lot. We have a strong connection with them in this area and now they’ve got their stories and pictures in a book in front of the King.”
A digital version of the book is available to view by all residents at west-norfolk.gov.uk/coronation-book and schools who took part are being urged to go online to find their contribution or contact the Borough Archives inside King’s Lynn Town Hall to arrange a visit to see the borough copy. Teachers who would like to arrange a visit can email luke.shackell@norfolk.gov.uk.
As well as creating this personal keepsake for Their Majesties, a commemorative Coronation coin was given to all nursery-and primary-school-aged children who live in west Norfolk earlier this year.
Coronation book with messages from west Norfolk school and nursery children