Historic school marks its 400th birthday

Nov 24 2008 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

King James' procession

PAST and present pupils gathered at the weekend to celebrate the 400th anniversary of King James’s School.

Hundreds took part in a traditional procession from the Almondbury school and church service to mark the anniversary of the granting of the royal charter to the school by King James I in 1608.

The special day was part of a series of events being organised by the school and the Old Almondburians’ Society throughout the year to commemorate the former boys’ grammar school’s milestone.

Yesterday Almondburians, staff and pupils gathered at the school for the traditional Founders’ Day procession to All Hallows’ Church for a service at noon.

The service was attended by the Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, West Yorkshire High Sheriff Roger Bowers, Kirklees Mayor Clr Karam Hussain and the Earl of Dartmouth.

The address was given by Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten.