Chantry Academy students read Suffolk Day proclamation

The students at Chantry Academy were amazed when the Lord Lieutenant's office approached the school, asking if its pupils would be willing to write a proclamation to be read out on the steps of the Cornhill today. 

Students from Year Nine and Ten were delighted to accept this challenge. After the grand ceremony and parade through Ipswich, they will travel up to London to meet with Tom Hunt, MP for Ipswich. Their proclamation will then be read out before MPs gathered in Westminster Hall. 

This year, the theme of Suffolk Day is ‘Be Free in 23’. Craig D’Cunha, executive headteacher, said that his students were the ideal representatives of Suffolk to share this message. 

"This is a huge honour, and we’re incredibly proud of the students,” he said. “This is a once in a lifetime experience for them. 

“Hearing the insightful thoughts they have as a group of young poeple, and their love for the county, has been eye-opening.” 

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt will welcome Chantry Academy students to Westminster Hall today. Image: House of Commons (Image: House of Commons)

Tom Hunt MP said: “This Suffolk Day I greatly look forward to welcoming a group of local Ipswich students to Parliament for a proclamation to celebrate all this great county has to offer. Students from Chantry Academy will read out the Suffolk Day proclamation in Westminster Hall to mark this important day. 

“Suffolk Day is a county-wide festivity which takes place on the longest day of the year. It is a day to recognise our great icons, attractions, landscapes, institutions, history and more. From towns to beaches, the wealth of different cultures and languages we have, there is so much the county has to offer. It is a chance to connect with local communities and remember that there are so many wonderful things Suffolk has to enjoy and explore.”