Mellis Primary pupils carry Festival of Suffolk relay torch through Waveney Valley

Pupils from Mellis Primary School welcomed the Festival of Suffolk relay as it passed through the Waveney Valley on Wednesday.

Madeleine Martin, Rory Jackson and Violet Hall were lucky enough to carry the torch as it made its 588-mile journey across towns and villages in Suffolk to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“It was lovely to be part of it and the children were absolutely blown away,” said pre-school deputy manager Hannah Sinclair.

“The fact we had our children part of it made it so special for all the other children watching.”

“They thought it was wonderful and the parents were really appreciative that we could be involved in such a prestigious event.”

The Festival of Suffolk relay is part of several county-wide events taking place to celebrate the Queen’s 70th year as monarch.

The torch began its journey in Brandon on May 13 and is due to end at the Suffolk Showground on Wednesday for a special jubilee Pageant at the Suffolk Show.

Pre-schooler Madeleine, four, was in the rickshaw as it made its way from the BT exchange in Yaxley to Mellis Common, where head pupils Rory Jackson and Violet Hall, both 11, took over, taking it to Thrandeston junction.

Louise, who accompanied Madeleine on the journey, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our children to be involved in such a special event in the community.

“Our children have been learning about the jubilee, the Queen and London, which, due to the pandemic, many have been unable to visit.

“It was an extremely proud moment for us all to see one of our children carry the torch.”