GLORIOUS sunshine welcomed the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey during his visit to Bournemouth Collegiate Senior School yesterday afternoon.

Alongside the mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Rod Cooper, Lord Carey cut the ribbon to the school’s newly-completed woodland walkway, which is designed to give students a place to reflect and take time to think.

Lord Carey, who was appointed the 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury in 1991 and remained in the post until his retirement in 2002, said he was delighted to open the woodland walkway.

“This is a very exciting initiative. It brings home to the students the importance of the spiritual home. Whether they are tired, worried or depressed they can come here and have time to think,” he said He added: “It’s very unusual – I’ve never known anything like it.”

Along the walkway, which has been designed using the ancient Greek Labyrinth structure, there are 12 information boards which provide reflective readings and ask thought-provoking questions.

Reverend Peter Southcombe, chaplain at the school, said the idea is for students to stop at each point and reflect on the questions posed to them.

“They pick up on all the subjects in the curriculum,” he said.

He added: “It’s taken 18 months of work because it was all overgrown. There used to be a garden here, it just needed to be uncovered.”

Brandon Marais, deputy head student at the school, said the walkway was a great idea.

“I haven’t heard of anything like this before,” the 17-year-old said.

“I’m happy there is a spiritual foundation in the school now.

“It encourages you to question things and makes you think about things differently.”

School prefect Tabby Hellawell, aged 18, added: “It’s a great place to go if you just want a quiet place to think.”