11 March 2014
A Pershore High School pupil met Prime Minister David Cameron during the political trip of a lifetime to celebrate International Women's Day in Westminster last week (Thursday March 6). Sixteen year old Alice Ball was offered the chance to visit Westminster by local MP Harriett Baldwin. Over 100 school girls from all over the country were invited to come to Westminster, tour Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament as well as having tea with Speaker John Bercow in his private apartment. Alice attended a star-studded reception at 10 Downing Street in the evening and met the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, Chancellor George Osborne and Foreign Secretary William Hague. Showbiz stars including actresses Joan Collins and Helena Bonham Carter and model Erin O’Connor were at the reception. The England Women’s cricket team and Olympic stars were also invited. Harriett commented: “International Women’s Day is an important celebration and the PM and his team pulled out all the stops to make this a day to remember. “The aim was to inspire the next generation of women and I am sure that Alice will go back to school full of energy and ideas to share with her school friends.” Alice added: “The whole day was an enjoyable one whereby I met some incredibly inspiring women. The experience is one that I’m certain I will still recall in the future.” Photo: Alice Bull and Harriett Baldwin MP arrive for tea at the Speaker’s private apartment at the Houses of Parliament.