Latest news with #StJohnsSchool
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wiltshire in Pictures: Special solstice sunrise
Thousands of people have journeyed to Wiltshire this week to witness the iconic moment of the sun rising above Stonehenge. The midsummer celebrations were marked at dozens of places across the county, including our world-famous stone circle. People have also been taking advantage of the sunshine to get out and about, capturing some of the best sights across the has also been lots of excitement at Longleat Safari Park with some new arrivals. Here is our weekly round-up showing life across the county this week. A midsummer night's dream: Thousands of people stayed up to watch the sunrise during this year's solstice. With the main event happening at Stonehenge, crowds flocked to witness the first rays of sunlight piercing through the ancient stone archways. Brightening up: Local art students spent their work experience painting a large mural on a subway in West Swindon. As part of an initiative rolled out by Marlborough Parish Council, five pupils from St John's School, painted the 26-metre (85ft) wall under Mead Way. New chick on the block: Keepers at Longleat Safari Park are hand rearing an endangered secretary bird chick. Born five weeks ago to seven-year-old Janine and dad Kevin, aged nine, the gender of the chick is not yet known. It was successfully reared in 2024 and is now living in a zoo in Singapore. Say hello: There was also excitement at the safari park as sisters, Matylda and Manon, were the first hippopotamuses to be welcomed at Longleat in more than 40 years after their journey from the Czech Republic. Fine needlework: Volunteers at Salisbury Cathedral have made the first stitch on their part of a major project which is in collaboration with 12 other cathedrals across the country. The Saintly Stitchers will help create a textile piece called the Circle of Life, which has been designed by iconographer Aiden Hart. The project should be completed by March 2026. Time for a cuddle: These ducks were spotted having a snuggle in Malmesbury.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Jersey plaque honours concentration camp survivor
Plaque honours concentration camp survivor 5 minutes ago Share Save Chris Stone BBC News, Jersey Lisa Young BBC News Share Save St John's School Harold Le Druillenec was found at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp when it was liberated towards the end of World War Two A heritage plaque commemorating a headmaster who was the only British survivor of a German concentration camp has been unveiled in Jersey. Dedicated to Harold Le Druillenec, the plaque was revealed by Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd in a special ceremony at St John's School on Tuesday. Mr Le Druillenec was found at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after it was liberated towards the end of World War Two. He was subsequently made headmaster of St John's School in 1949, which he led until his retirement in 1971. St John's School The Jersey Heritage plaque commends Mr Le Druillenec's "actions and testimony" Before he was imprisoned at Bergen-Belsen, Mr Le Druillenec had previously been held prisoner in multiple camps across Europe after he and 17 members of his family were arrested for helping his sister, Louisa Gould, to shelter an escaped Russian officer. Following the war, Mr Le Druillenec gave testimony at the Belsen trials, offering harrowing evidence of the conditions he had survived. In December 1945, he recorded an interview about his experiences for the BBC, which was broadcast on Christmas Day as part of the introduction to the King's speech. A spokesperson for St John Parish Hall said the parish was proud to celebrate Mr Le Druillenec's "enduring legacy, not only as a survivor and witness to history, but as a much-respected educator who shaped generations of young islanders". Mr Le Druillenec's grandchildren travelled from Australia for the unveiling of the plaque Mr Le Druillenec's grandchildren Peter and Linda came from Australia for the occasion and said they were very moved by the fond memories people shared of their grandfather. Mr Le Druillenec said: "In this period now we're moving from living memory – people having some recollection of what has gone on – to this period where we won't have that going forward. "So it's important to have a way of transitioning from that." Former pupil Graeme Rondel said it had been a "privilege" to attend the school from which he had secured a scholarship for Victoria College. 'Moved me to tears' He said: "That was the start of many things to come so I have a lot to thank this man for." The current head teacher, James Hazley, said it was an honour to take on Mr Le Druillenec's former role. He said: "What an inspirational man with what an incredible history of what he experienced and what he lived through. So you can only aspire to live up to those things." St John Constable Andy Jehan said: His story moved me to tears at times and I just felt it was vital that we remembered him." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to
