28433The Earl and Countess of Wessex paid a relaxed visit to Wiltshire on Tuesday, opening a primary school in Westbury and a caf at Palmer Gardens in Trowbridge.

Pupils of the new Westbury Leigh School delighted Edward and Sophie when they gave their thoughts on a day in the life of the royal family.

One youngster wrote: "I think they have a glass of beer and then watch the football on television."

Another said: "Prince Edward and Sophie have pancakes with strawberry, chocolate and lemon sauce."

Arriving to cheering crowds, Edward and Sophie were met by children at the door of the school with a posy of white flowers before being taken on a tour of the new school by headteacher, Mary Murray, and chairman of governors, Jean Dew.

There was then a performance of songs, readings and a blessing by the Bishop of Ramsbury, the Right Reverend Peter Hullah, before the Earl and Countess unveiled a plaque with the words "Love of God and Joy of Life" inscribed on it.

The pupils also presented the royal couple with a hand-made alphabet book for their daughter, Louise.

Daniel, 10, and Ella, 7, were chosen to present flowers to the Countess.

Daniel said: "I was very excited about it but also nervous. When my name was pulled out I jumped up. I couldn't believe I was getting the chance to meet the royal family. They were nice to me and it is a day I will always remember."

Ella said: "It was very good to meet them. My class did the letter Q for the alphabet book for Louise and wrote about the Queen."

The new £2m primary school was opened in January last year after an agreement was reached between Willtshire County Council and Persimmon Homes to exchange the old school site for a new one, with room for a 14-classroom school.

Mrs Murray said: "We were running late a bit because it was hard to get Edward and Sophie out of the classroom. They were so interested in everything. The day went brilliantly and we are now an official school."

After unzipping a school fleece to unveil the plaque, Edward told the school he could see everybody enjoyed the building and thanked pupils for the insights into their lives.

Visiting the Shaw Trust Palmer Gardens in Trowbridge, the Earl of Wessex again had to put his plaque unveiling skills to the test to open the nursery's new cafe, this time joking: "I want you to know this has taken years and years of practice."

The caf is dedicated to the memory of John Bradbeer, chairman of the trust for 13 years, who died last year.

His wife Vera said: "John would have liked to be here. It is lovely, really very nice."

Sophie laughed and chatted with onlookers, staff and guests and was presented a posy by caf manager Sue Heard, 48, who managed a perfect curtsy despite suffering from osteoarthritis.

She said: "She was very friendly and seemed genuinely concerned."

Sophie was then escorted around the gardens by nursery manager Matthew Webb, 30.

Trevor Heeks, Trowbridge's town crier and landscape supervisor at Palmer Gardens said: "It was lovely that they managed to spend time talking to the lads. The Countess said it would be nice if a group like us could go round and do her garden."

Shaw Trust director general Tim Pap said he was delighted by the royal visit and invited Sophie and Edward to pop in for a cup of tea whenever they were in the neighbourhood.

Managing director Ian Charlesworth thanked Riggs Construction and Bailey Partnership for their hard work in planning and building the caf.

More photographs appear in this week's Wiltshire Times