Official presentation of the RSA King’s Scroll

Date: 19 March 2024

On Friday 8 March, East Surrey College hosted a presentation ceremony, where we welcomed Cllr Eddy Humphreys, The Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Reigate & Banstead to accept and send the King’s Scroll onto the Palace.

Students from Reigate School of Art’s Heraldic Art, Calligraphy and Illumination course were given the honour of creating a special commemorative scroll to present to King Charles III on behalf of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead.

Figure 1 from l to r Andy Baker; The Mayoress Mrs. Sarah Humphreys; Michela Moriello; Janet Halley; Gerald Mynott FSSI; The Mayor Cllr Eddy Humphreys; Patricia Broom; Jennifer Ince

In September 2023, a signing ceremony was held at the Town Hall at which the scroll was signed by the Mayor, Leader of the Council and Managing Director of the Council, the scroll is to be sent to His Majesty on behalf of our borough to mark his succession.

The ceremony commenced at 2:30 pm, with Lindsay Pamphilon, Principal for East Surrey College welcoming our guests to the auditorium. From there Jo Fenwick, Group Director of Learning SDC gave some background on the scroll and the success of the students throughout this project.

Recapping on the historical highlights of the piece, she said “This is a fantastic honour as the last time the town hall had produced a similar presentation was for the late Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953.

During the year of the King’s Coronation, Reigate school of Art were delighted to hear that two former Heraldic art students from the 1980’s, had been commissioned to design not only the Invitation to the Coronation at Westminster Abbey, but also the official King Charles III Cypher.

The Department today has a unique and long-standing reputation in this field of study going back to 1968. This was the only course of its kind in Great Britain and possibly also Europe.”

Before the official presentation, the Mayor’s Chaplain Rev Gill Long blessed the scroll, ready to be officially presented to the Mayor Cllr Eddy Humphreys,.

Followed by a thank you on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III by Deputy Lieutenant Joosje Hamilton. The ceremony concluded with the 1^st verse of the national anthem and a toast to His Majesty.

Once the ceremony concluded, we hosted an afternoon tea for all our guests, executive staff, and RSA students to enjoy and learn more about the College.

Figure 2 Executive Director - Commercial & Partnerships, Kam Dehal; The Mayor Cllr Eddy Humphreys

The Mayor Cllr Eddy Humphreys, said “On behalf of Reigate and Banstead Council, I am delighted to receive this beautiful scroll. We will be sending it to the Palace and hopefully it will be hung on the walls there!. It is a magnificent piece of work and has been admired by everyone here. The reception was very enjoyable too.”

Lindsay Pamphilon, Principal for East Surrey College said “I am really delighted by how today has gone. It has been such an honour to have so many dignitaries, members of Reigate Borough Council, local MPs and councillors coming to support us in the handing over of the scroll that has been commissioned by Reigate and Banstead Council. And it is now going to be winging its way to the Palace, where we expect to see if on full view at Buckingham Palace. What a huge honour.

It is also important to note the amount of work that these students have undergone to create such a beautiful piece and the level of detail and focus they have had. This is a very specialist provision and very specialist art calligraphy. We are really honoured to continue to deliver such quality provision.”

Figure 3 from l to r Jo Fenwick; the Mayor Cllr Eddy Humphreys; CEO & Principal (College Group) Lindsay Pamphilon; Paul Danbury, Macebearer; Cllr Richard Biggs, Leader of the council