EF Academy Torbay students and the Royal Visit to Exeter
EF Academy Torbay students visited Devon’s medieval capital Exeter this weekend and had a special treat because a member of the Royal Family visited the 11th century cathedral for a service to commemorate the Second World War.
Everyone arrived in Exeter and were given a few options that we could go to with a map of the city to follow highlighting key areas and places of interest. Exeter is a great city with a number of cultural highlights, amazing shopping and its reputation for food is world class. The most difficult decision was what to do first and what we would have to miss because there was so much to see.
Exeter was the most south-westerly Roman fortified settlement in Britain. Exeter Cathedral, founded in the mid 11th century, became Anglican during the 16th-century English Reformation. Exeter began as a settlement of Celts based around the river Exe. Such early towns had been a feature of pre-Roman Gaul as described by Julius Caesar in his Commentaries but little is known about these early towns.
The cathedral, which dominates the Exeter skyline was founded in 1050 when the bishop’s seat was moved from the nearby town of Crediton because Exeter’s Roman walls offered better protection against “pirates”, presumably Vikings. A statue of Richard Hooker, the 16th century Anglican theologian, who was born in Exeter, has a prominent place in the Cathedral Close.
It has some great cultural highlights including the Phoenix Arts center which has some great contemporary art and lots of great bands playing throughout the year. The RAMM Museum is very different but has great collections of art and natural history.
While Exeter is an ancient city it is also a really modern city and the modern works so well against the Roman and the medieval. The shopping center is brilliant with all the shops you could wish for under one roof and great restaurants. Loads of us spent ages in the Apple shop and different clothes shops and had a great Japanese experience in Yo Sushi.
But Exeter saved the best till last because Prince Edward who is the Queens youngest son came to the city to take part in a memorial service for the Second World War. For many of us the British Royal Family are celebrities so the chance to see one was amazing. It was like being in a film because the army stood either side of the walk way towards the cathedral and you could see plain clothed policeman stood around looking frightening. Several cars pulled up with police motorbikes and the Prince stepped out to greet the crowds and members of the army. Because he is not heir to the throne or as well-known as Prince Harry or William who we all know some of us didn’t know which one he was. The only way we could tell was because he was the bald one. Some of us worried if we have committed treason and would have our heads chopped off!