PUPILS and staff at Milton Abbot School were delighted that Henrietta, the Duchess of Bedford, could officially unveil their peace window on Monday.
The opening was also attended by West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett and the mayor of West Devon Christine Grills.
The oldest and youngest pupils, Sophie Scourfield and Matthew Tillier, presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
Peter Jones, headteacher, said the late Duke of Bedford had supported the peace window from the outset and made generous contributions to the fund-raising efforts. The school was commissioned and built by the then Duke of Bedford in 1829.
?Because of this history and the duke and duchess?s support we were very keen for the duchess to unveil the window,? he said. ?We would like to thank all the people who supported us through the planning application.?
Mr Jones said the window was ?enabling the children to reflect daily on our wish for peace throughout the world?.
The school had battled to obtain planning permission for the window, after it was originally refused when West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee and its conservation officer said it would ?adversely affect the character of the Grade II Listed building?.
The decision to turn down the original application in November 2002 sparked angry reactions. Permission was finally granted in April 2003 after an amended application was submitted.
The window, made by a 93-year-old Benedictine monk from Buckland Abbey, cost £5,000. It depicts the universe with a rising sun and a flame representing the spiritual essence of life.
The peace window is part of a worldwide programme of similar windows organised by the Flight of the Phoenix project, which aims to link children in the spirit of peace and harmony.
l The Duchess of Bedford with John Burnett MP, West Devon Mayor Christine Grills and pupils Matthew Tillier and Sophie Scourfield.
Picture by James Bird