Miss Moneypenny helps Twickenham school kick-start arts festival (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Miss Moneypenny helps Twickenham school kick-start arts festival

12:00pm Saturday 21st January 2012 in News By Rachel Bishop

Samantha Bond helped Trafalgar Junior School launch its two week arts festival this week, with an inspirational speech.

The actress, known for her role as Miss Moneypenny in James Bond, and more recently for her role in Downton Abbey, watched performances of music, poetry, singing and dance in the run up to the school’s Cultural Olympiad, before speaking to the children about how important the arts were.

She said: “In this year of the Olympics, when all over the world we celebrate what is great on a running track, in a swimming pool, in a gym or on a playing field, I think it’s also wonderful to celebrate our achievements in the arts.”

The Elmsleigh Road school began preparations for the two-week festival this week, but will hold the festival at the end of February.

Deputy headteacher Richard Smith said: “We are so grateful to Samantha for getting our Cultural Olympiad off to such a wonderful start. The children are really excited about all the opportunities they will have to contribute.”