18 July 2002: The Queen sends a Jubilee e-mail message to over 114,000 schoolchildren in Norfolk The Queen sent an electronic greeting to over 114,000 Norfolk schoolchildren during a Jubilee visit to Norfolk on Thursday, 18 July 2002. The message was sent via e-mail to 452 schools from the Norwich Forum, a £63.5 million state-of-the-art library complex in the centre of Norwich. It was the largest group e-mail The Queen had ever sent. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh toured the landmark building in Norwich, which replaced an earlier building destroyed by fire in 1994. The Queen met youngsters in the children's library and heard about the books they were reading. Her Majesty also spoke to children from Bignold Middle School, who were helping to decide which books should go in the library. The Queen continued her tour with a look at the library's technology. The building has been designed with over 90 PCs offering free Internet access, e-mail facilities and office software. The Queen sent off her e-mail, which spoke of the importance of the Internet. "The Internet has made our world a smaller place, allowing us to communicate with people nationwide and across the continents. Some local schools, I know, are using the Internet to build and develop direct links with school communities in the Commonwealth and elsewhere. I hope that, over time, these links will grow and reward us all." The message concluded with The Queen's warmest wishes: "Much has changed over the 50 years since I became Queen. But the warmth of the welcome from the people of Norfolk has remained constant and is something that I cherish. God bless you all." Children from Norfolk schools gathered around computers in their classrooms as the message was sent. The Internet has special importance for schools in Norfolk, opening up new opportunities and wider associations to young people in rural locations. Many of the children sent replies to Buckingham Palace. Children from Great Witchingham Primary School wrote: "We were delighted to receive your wonderful letter. We felt very privileged to have been written to by such an important person. "A few weeks ago we had a school Jubilee Garden party. Lots of our mums and dads, grannies and granddads came. All of the classes and the audience joined in singing 1950s songs. There was also some maypole dancing. Hope you are well, yours sincerely, Class 3." While The Queen viewed learning facilities in the Forum, The Duke of Edinburgh made his own tour of the library, viewing the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library and an historical exhibition for tourists. The Duke rejoined The Queen as Her Majesty signed her name in the visitors' book and officially opened the Forum. Unveiling the plaque, she spoke of the loss the people of Norwich must have felt when the original library burned down. She said: "I can easily see why the library is already a hive of activity, with people of all ages using the services and enjoying it. Prince Philip and I are delighted to be with you in Norfolk today." Outside the building The Queen and Prince Philip made a walkabout, to the delight of the crowds. The police lifted many of the Queen's youngest admirers over the barriers so they could present her with bouquets and gifts. Earlier in the morning The Queen and Prince Philip had visited the historic city's twelfth-century castle. There Her Majesty viewed an exhibition celebrating the centenary of Norwich City Football Club. Also earlier, The Duke of Edinburgh had visited the Norfolk Nelson Museum in Great Yarmouth. The Duke, who served in the Royal Navy, toured the museum, which commemorates Horatio, Lord Nelson. The famous naval hero was born at Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk. The visit was touched with sadness, following the crash of a helicopter into the North Sea at Great Yarmouth a couple of days earlier. At the museum The Duke of Edinburgh met some of the rescue workers who tried in vain to save the eleven victims of the tragedy. The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter plunged into the sea two days previously while taking workers to an offshore oil rig. Later in the day The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh hosted an evening reception for 4,000 people at Sandringham, The Queen's Norfolk estate.   Back to July index