The Duke awards pupils for best ideas (From Witney Gazette)

The Duke awards pupils for best ideas

3:30pm Wednesday 8th March 2006 in Witney By Maddy Biddulph

PUPILS from six Oxfordshire schools had a brush with Royalty when they had tea with the Duke of Marlborough at his Woodstock home, Blenheim Palace.

The children were invited to the country estate because they were among the winners of the Duke's annual heritage education prizes, which are sponsored by our sister paper, The Oxford Times.

The schools were asked to create a project inspired by Blenheim Palace, after enjoying a tour of the historic building and grounds.

Two prizes were awarded to Bladon Primary School, in Bladon, while Combe Primary School, Combe; Brookside Primary School, Bicester; Queensway Primary School, Banbury, and Our Lady's Convent Senior School, Abingdon, all received one prize.

Wendy Neale, from the palace's education department, said: "The awards are to encourage children, who have been on a tour here, to put together a project about their impressions of the palace. It is a really popular competition, and the pupils always say how much they enjoy meeting the Duke.

"He puts such an effort into it, and it is always a great day."

"It is a really popular competition, and the pupils always say how much they enjoy meeting the Duke."

Wendy Neale, from the palace's education department

Infants from Bladon Primary School created collages based on a visit to the palace's secret garden, and Year 6 pupils made a display about Winston Churchill and the Second World War.

Pre-school children from Brookside Primary School made a life-size model of the member of palace staff, who took them on the tour.

Years 4, 5, and 6 pupils from Combe created a presentation based on the idea of an estate agent selling the palace.

Meanwhile, Rudi Hopkin, eight, from Queensway Primary School, painted a portrait of the Tenth Duchess of Marlborough, and Year 9 pupils from Abingdon made a set of maths problems, based on the palace maze.

The Duke of Marlborough has been presenting the prizes to pupils from schools across the country for the last 26 years.

The winners received a signed book, with a message from the Duke, a framed parchment, recording their achievement, and a certificate. They also enjoyed tea at the palace during the special ceremony.