Sophie charms village

PARENTS and pupils at a village nursery school were this week enchanted by a visit from Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Attwood Farm Nursery School, based in a converted barn in Bodle Street Green, was officially opened by the Countess on Tuesday.

She greeted the waiting crowd of parents by the school's gate before looking around inside. Pupils sang and chatted to their royal visitor.

Deborah Shillabeer, whose son Sam, three-and-a-half, had the chance to speak to the countess, said: 'I thought she was so nice and personable. She was also really glamorous. Her clothes were absolutely gorgeous.'

Mark and Kate Curtis, whose daughter Taylor attends two days a week, also spoke to the Royal visitor.

'The countess seemed like a very nice lady indeed,' said Mr Curtis. 'When she came over to speak to us she was very down to earth. It made her seem more human and accessible.'

Jacqui Hardaway, whose young daughters Lauren and Sophie both attend the school, also had a brief chat with the countess. Jacqui said: 'It was wonderful what an exciting day! I thought it was so nice that the countess didn't just get in her car and drive away at the end. She was very pleasant and down to earth and so pretty.'

Attwood Farm proprietor Nick Godwin, a personal friend of the Countess, said: 'The children eagerly looked forward to her visit. They painted and drew pictures to commemorate the event and practiced their songs. It's wonderful to see our redundant farm buildings being used again and giving so much enjoyment to so many children.'