Prince Edward to guest at Surbiton ceremony

10:26am Tuesday 13th May 2008

Prince Edward is to be the guest of honour at a ceremony celebrating Surbiton's restored Coronation Clock.

Schoolchildren, residents and local businesses have been invited to watch His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex unveil a plaque marking the centenary of the restored tower in Claremont Road on July 3.

“As the oldest of the Royal boroughs, we know that 100 years ago the community was clearly as proud of its royal connection as we are today.”

Councillor Yogan Yoganathan

The plaque was originally unveiled in 1908 and is dedicated to the prince's ancestor, King Edward VII.

To celebrate the royal visit the Friends of the Coronation Clock Tower and Kingston Council have organised dancing, music and performances from nine local schools, professional bands and an Edwardian picnic in Claremont Gardens.

The Friends of the Coronation Clock Tower formed in 2007 to help raise £110,000 to restore the tower and fund ongoing maintenance.

As well as Kingston Council, Waitrose contributed £3,000, English Heritage gave £10,000 and £3,000 came from the Heritage of London Trust.

Chairman of the group, Councillor Yogan Yoganathan, said: "We are looking forward to having a traditional community event to mark this special day."

He added: "As the oldest of the Royal boroughs, we know that 100 years ago the community was clearly as proud of its royal connection as we are today."

Throughout May schools in the area will be focusing on the history of Surbiton and invited to enter an art competition to depict the clock and other historic sites in the town.

The borough's tour guides will be organising history talks ahead of the event and the Rotary Club has joined with Kingston University to publish a souvenir leaflet about the tower and 14 other historic sites in Surbiton.

For more information call Christina Gardner on 020 8547 5369 or email christina.gardner@rbk.kingston.gov.uk.

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