#Trinity60‍

The guest of honour at the long awaited official opening of the new school was Earl Alexander of Tunis. Other dignitaries included Sir William Hart, Chairman of the Greater London Council, and Lady Hart, the Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon, and representatives of the Old Boys from both Schools.

After inspecting a Guard of Honour provided by the C.C.F., Earl Alexander was invited by Sir James Marshall to unveil a plaque in the entrance hall. After a short ceremony the official party moved into Big School, where the parents and boys were assembled. Sir James Marshall welcomed the guests and explained that the new buildings were the answer to the demands of progress, for the old School no longer fulfilled its functions adequately. He praised Mr. Lowe the architect for his charming creation in its pleasant surroundings and hoped that the boys would continue to display the same good behaviour as they had done during the move.

Earl Alexander thanked Sir James Marshall for his kind welcome and said that he was delighted to visit the town of Croydon, for in his capacity as Lord Lieutenant of London he had been most impressed with the very progressive nature of the district, with its many new buildings, the School being one of the finest. The quality of the School was clearly shown by the increasing numbers of boys sitting the Entrance Examination, and he hoped that the School would flourish for as long as it had done already.

Sir James Marshall then presented Earl Alexander with a silver gravy float of the reign of George Ill. After this, the Headmaster in his vote of thanks, explained that this was the first Trinity School to be officially opened, although it is the third set of buildings.

The Headmaster expressed his thanks to the governors, especially Dr. Sandison and Mr. Wheeler, for their help with the finances. He said that the School provided an opportunity that was both challeng­ing and stimulating. He finished by recounting Earl Alexander's distinguished military career, and noted that it was a fitting tribute to the great man that it was Europe Day on the day of the opening, and Europe owed much of its present freedom to the efforts of this man in the war.

After the ceremony, the official party moved off for a tour of the buildings, viewing the many departments and wide range of facilities.

A. Birbeck