SI Durham, Platinum Jubilee Dinner and 75th Charter Anniversary
On Friday 10th June SI Durham hosted a Platinum Jubilee Dinner with a very special guest of honour: Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon. We were joined by sister Soroptimists from other clubs around the region, and even a member from Northern Ireland!
There was a celebratory atmosphere at the Ballroom, Ramside Hall. Our event committee had made a superb job of dressing the venue, with balloons, bunting and beautiful table decorations! Favours for guests included a commemorative Platinum Jubilee brooch and a crown shaped chocolate truffle, from local chocolatiers Chocolatrice. (their delicious chocolate can be purchased online at www.lachocolatrice.co.uk !)
After a superb three course meal Sue Snowdon gave her after-dinner speech.
Sue explained the role of Lord Lieutenant as the Queen’s representative in County Durham. She is the first woman to hold the role and has a great many anecdotes from her time in post!
It was very interesting to learn how Sue is involved in planning and hosting royal visits to the area, her involvement with the armed forces and her commitment to the young people of the area. This Jubilee year has been particularly busy with celebratory events. Sue told us how children from primary schools across Durham were selected to join the Choristers of Durham Cathedral Choir to form the Platinum Choir to perform an anthem “The Call of Wisdom” written by local composer Will Todd in the Thanksgiving Service in Durham Cathedral during the Jubilee Weekend. Those of us who had been at the service agreed how beautifully the children had sung!
The evening was a great success, and lovely to see people face to face again. It was a chance to renew old friendships and make new ones. God Save the Queen!
Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon with Joint Presidents Geraldine Hudson and Sue Percival.
With Pam Turner SINE President 2021 – 2022
