Climbing the Tower of Life

7th May, 2008, by J Owens

Last Thursday The Kings of Wessex School celebrated the annual Ascension Day at St Andrew's Church in Cheddar. Forty days after Easter, the service marks Jesus' ascension to heaven after he was resurrected on Easter Day. The tradition was brought to Cheddar in the 1880's by the Vicar of Magdalen College, Oxford.

The symbolism of Jesus saying farewell to his disciples and his subsequent ascension to Heaven is mirrored by the Year 13 students ascending the church tower singing "Hail the Day" before they take their next steps in life. Down below in the vicarage gardens, the Year 9 students relished sticky buns in the sunshine - a true feast in its Victorian day and a welcome treat for the students.

Rev. John Angle, also a Governor at King, led the service, organised with Christian Leader Joanna Slade. Other School Governors also enjoyed the service, even climbing the tower as part of their Summer Term visit to Kings.

The rain held off for the service and the Year 13 students energetically enjoyed this special tradition as well as the view from the church tower - in their important final weeks at Kings before sitting their exams.