Big screen at racecourse helps pupils enjoy event

Staff at schools across York joined forces with officials from the city's racecourse to organise the massive screen to watch the Pope's missive on Catholic education.

Organisers claimed yesterday's mass gathering was the first time in four centuries that all the Catholic schools in York had come to together for a single event.

A York Racecourse spokesman said: "Everyone seemed to have a great time. All the technology worked. When the screen switched to images of the Holy Father there was a cheer and flags were waved."

The children turned out in force at 9.30am to be ready for the 10am broadcast. Many lingered after the broadcast ended at noon to enjoy a picnic.

The spokesman added: "As well as papal flags there were some touching moments when some of the younger ones were chorusing we love you Papa Ben.

"It was great. The adults were touched by it and the children enjoyed it."

Estimates were that 2,500 pupils – both primary and secondary – had flocked to the racecourse, all from Catholic-affiliated schools in York.

The 200ft-wide screen was brought in especially for the occasion and set up where the race results are normally shown.

The only difference was on race days there would have been two screens either side of the clock tower.

The spokesman said: "It was otherwise the same provision for watching racing – with a live audio feed. Prayers were said over the PA system, which was also used to help teachers disperse the children at the end of the event.