Looking back: Princess Anne opens Wellington School sports centre

The building was named the Princess Royal Sports Complex after its opening in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's daughter.

Princess Anne arrived at the school by helicopter from her Gatcombe Park home and was greeted by chair of governors Sue Watts, headmaster Alan Rogers, and local dignitaries.

After an inspection of the school's combined cadet force, the Princess walked along the main drive, which was lined by senior school pupils and staff, and along South Street, where traffic had been brought to a halt.

Peter Smith, former chairman of governors, greets Princess Anne. Picture: Geoff Hall, County Gazette (Image: Geoff Hall, County Gazette)

She then entered Wellington Junior School, where she met headteacher John Wyatt and was presented with a posy by Sam Collings and Harriet Salisbury, the previous year's junior head boy and girl.

The royal then walked to the sports centre along a drive lined with flag-waving pupils, escorted by Mr Rogers, Mrs Watts, and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst.

After a tour of the complex, the Princess unveiled a commemorative plaque and was presented with a Dartington glass bowl.

She said there was a lot to be learned from sport, not just physical fitness, but discipline, rules, sharing, and responsibility.

Wellington School pupils hold Union Jacks, ready to meet the Princess. Picture: Geoff Hall, County Gazette (Image: Geoff Hall, County Gazette)

Mrs Watts said: "At Wellington we aim to give our youngsters the best opportunities, the best facilities, and the best support and encouragement we possibly can.

"We're hoping shortly to achieve accreditation as a Junior Olympian training centre in fencing, and, hopefully, in our other specialist sports, handball and volleyball."

Present at the occasion were the Mayor and Mayoress of Taunton Deane, Adrian and Hazel Prior-Sankey, and Taunton MP Adrian Flook.