A Lichfield school has welcomed a group of Chelsea Pensioners.
The group of five veterans – dressed in their famous scarlet coats – stopped off at Maple Hayes Dyslexia School having previously stopped off at the National Memorial Arboretum.
After eating with students, they were shown around the school grounds by pupils and staff.
Chelsea Pensioner Roy Palmer, 82, said: “We loved visiting Maple Hayes last year and jumped at the chance to come back.
“We get as much out of it as the children, we really love seeing them and they are always happy to see us.
“I think seeing kids in school takes us back and reminds us what we were like when we were that age.
“Since I became a Chelsea Pensioner I have taken up writing, so I bought a poem with me this time based on what I think it would be like to have dyslexia, which I will share with the pupils and hope it gives them something to think about.”
Staff at Maple Hayes originally reached out to arrange a visit from the Chelsea Pensioners after studying Billy The Kid by Michael Morpurgo in English lessons.
The book, which centres on an 80-year-old Chelsea Pensioner as he looks back on his life, has led to a close friendship between the school and the famous veterans’ group, with two pupils paying a visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea after last year’s visit.
Dr Daryl Brown, headteacher at Maple Hayes Dyslexia School, said: “We think this is a great initiative to bridge the gap between the older and younger generations.
“Our pupils obviously learn about history in class but this way they can ask questions to people who have seen so much and have so much to share.
“This visit brought a bit of light into everyone’s day and we hope to welcome the Chelsea Pensioners regularly over the coming year.”