The Duke of Kent visited the College on Thursday May 8. He planted a tree to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of the College and officially opened the new Pre-Preparatory school buildings.
The Duke, who is cousin to both the Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and 24th in line to the throne, followed in their footsteps when he visited Ardingly – the Royal couple each planted a tree at the College in 1958 to mark commemorate its centenary!
During his visit, the Duke had lunch with Headmaster Peter Green, governors and guests, including Robert Alston, Chairman of Governors and the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, Mr Hugh Wyatt.
He met pupils as well as staff of both the Senior, Prep and Pre-Prep Schools, before unveiling a plaque at The Farmhouse – the Ardingly College Pre-Preparatory School.
There was a short presentation by pupils from The Farmhouse before the Duke signed the Visitor’s Book and left with a reminder of his visit - a book about the history of the College, written by governor and Old Ardinian David Gibbs.
