Mid Dorset Pupils Enjoy Tea with Cherie Blair

6.03.00pm GMT Fri 11th Mar 2005

Annette Brooke with Ciara, Olivia and Xiola and their parents at 10 Downing St

Three school children from the Mid Dorset area yesterday joined local MP Annette Brooke for afternoon tea with the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Booth QC at 10 Downing Street.

Annette Brooke welcomed the children and parents to the House of Commons where they had a tour of the Palace, listened to proceedings in the galleries of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, visited Westminster Hall and the Crypt, and saw the interior of the new building Portcullis House.

Afternoon tea at 10 Downing Street and a tour of the Prime Minister's home was the highlight of the visit to London. The children learned a great deal of history about the house, its former residents and its interior design, and talked to Mrs. Blair about her work as a QC, mother and wife of the Prime Minister. She asked them about themselves and their schools, and what else they had done during the day, and asked if they had any questions for her.

Speaking after the visit, the girls and parents were all very enthusiastic about what they had seen and done throughout the whole day. Such a visit is really a once in a lifetime opportunity, as few people have access to 10 Downing Street.

Ciara Davies, Olivia Batchelor and Xiola Cochrane at Downing Street

Xiola Cochrane said: "Mrs. Blair was so friendly, she made us all feel really welcome at Downing Street and was keen to hear about us and why we had been nominated to come. As well as seeing inside Downing Street, I loved going into the House of Lords, which is really beautiful."

Ciara Davies said: "The whole day was amazing, and really interesting. Cherie Blair was so down to earth for someone married to the Prime Minister. I asked her if she could go out on her own, and if she missed doing everyday things. Annette took us into the crypt at the House of Commons which is gorgeously decorated, and has a hidden cupboard where a suffragette once hid before women were allowed in the House of Commons - such an amazing piece of history."

Olivia Batchelor said: "Everything about the whole day was fantastic. We really had a special opportunity to go in to both the Lords and the Commons, and we learned so much about politics and politicians. Everyone was kind, friendly and down to earth and made us feel welcome, and everything about Westminster was so interesting."

Annette Brooke MP said: "It was a delight to have the girls and their parents visit Westminster, and to take them to tea with Cherie. She was certainly a pleasure to meet and was genuinely interested in meeting everyone and talking to them. I am always glad when young people gain an interest in politics and Westminster from an early age, and who recognise how fascinating a place it is."

Selecting three children to participate was difficult. Annette Brooke's office simply picked three schools in the constituency out of a hat and then invited the Head teachers to nominate a suitable pupil. The three girls, Xiola Cochrane, Olivia Batchelor and Ciara Davies, were nominated for being particularly hardworking, helpful and motivated students.