Kenneth Baker visits Lichfield Cathedral and Lichfield Cathedral School (February 1990)

reproduced from 'Choir Schools Today', the magazine of the Choir Schools' Association, Issue 4, 1990

Mr Baker Visits

Mr Kenneth Baker and Lichfield Choristers after Evensong
choristers from left to right, back row: Richard Shakeshaft, James Holliday
front row: Giles Derrett, Alexander Makepeace

Mr Kenneth Baker, Conservative Party Chairman, visited two of our members earlier this year while still Secretary of State for Education and Science. Mr Baker visited Lichfield in February to open Broadhurst, the new purpose-built pre-preparatory department at the Cathedral School. During the official opening ,six year-old pupils monitored his heart as part of a health programme and gave him the good news that his heartbeat recorded a normal 80 beats a minute!

When Tony Hart took over as Head-master of Reigate St. Mary's in January 1984 there were 47 boys and three full-time members of staff. Numbers have now increased to 210 pupils and 16 full-time staff. This meant that new buildings had to be provided, which were opened by Mr. Baker in May. 

The ceremony was preceded by a concert of choral and instrumental music in St Mary's Church. Mr Baker told parents and members of the school that choir schools needed support and protection. He felt the school's link with the local church was important and congratulated the school on quadrupling its numbers in five years. He said it was a very good example of the faith placed by parents in independent education.