An unforgettable trip to London

History and learning are never as much fun in the classroom as they are when applied to an action-packed trip away from home turf.
Some of the young delegates at the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red poppy exhibit at the Tower of London.Some of the young delegates at the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red poppy exhibit at the Tower of London.
Some of the young delegates at the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red poppy exhibit at the Tower of London.

And just recently excitement was at a high level for a delegation of young people from Cathedral Youth Club, when they departed Londonderry for London taking a flight from City of Derry Airport.

For some even the flight was a great adventure as quite a few young delegates had never been on an airplane before. Despite the early hour - the flight was at 7am - the young people were in high spirits which also rubbed off on their leaders.

“Some of the group were a little bit nervous as we boarded the plane as it was there first time to fly in an aeroplane,” said community worker Jeanette Warke.

“Our first appointment when we arrived in London was to meet with the Honourable the Irish Society Deputy Governor Simon Duckworth, 0BE. We enjoyed lunch and a tour of the Guildhall, which is 800 years old and is still home of the City of London Corporation. We were delighted to renew old friendships with other members John Absalom and Barbara Newman and also Candya Farmer who arranged the visit.

“We then paid a visit to The London Museum, and The Imperial War Museum, which was really interesting for the young people and provided them with information and a better understanding of the history of modern war and wartime experience,” she said, continuing: “Next we went on the open top bus to see the poppies at The Tower Museum. This proved to be an amazing sight and one which we will never forget.”

No trip to London would be complete without a cruise boat ride on the River Thames, which also allowed the young people to see London from a different perspective.

“We also saw Convent Garden by night. This area is one of the most exciting districts, where young musicians and actors provided street entertainment and after a meal in Garfunkel’s it was time to hit the hay, weary but happy.

“To complete our visit we went to Buckingham Palace, the Cenotaph, where we witnessed the laying of wreaths by The Tank Regiment in memory of those who died in the Second World War, and we saw Westminster, the Abbey Houses, of Parliament and Big Ben,” he said.

There might not have been much time for shopping, but according to Jeanette this did not deter the young people as they were so interested in the history of this historic city.

“What a trip we had. It is one we will always remember and what a great bunch of young people; they were a credit to their City,” she added.

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