Speaker for 16th February 2016
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Talk by Joan Christie on 'My Life as a Lord Lieutenant'
The Coleraine Probus club were pleased to say 'hello again' to Mrs, Joan Christie, better know as HM Lord Lieutenant of Antrim, when she returned to talk to the members about some of the highlights in her busy schedule since her previous visit four years ago.
One of these highlights included the G8 summit - and being 'gob smacked' at the amount of money that must have been spent on transport alone; a whole planeload of US security staff constantly speaking into their sleeves!; contrasting dress codes for some Presidents and being referred to as 'Mary Peters' by the BBC's Noel Thompson (she will call him 'Stephen Nolan' when she gets a chance!).
The talk included some informal and 'homely' glimpses of Royal visits to Northern Ireland, with an insiders look at the private face of very public people. The club members were particularly impressed with descriptions of visits paid by Prince Edward (and a very choppy ferry trip the Rathlin Island); Prince Andrew (and a car ride to Lisburn); as well as Princess Anne (and her interest in the scheme for attaching 'Cadets' to the Lord Lieutenant's role).
Joan also discussed the many parts to her official role, which included the swearing-in of foreign nations that now want to become UK citizens.
A newer task added to 'the job' was identifying people who were 'worthy of recognition' for their work in the community. This scheme has been named 'Diamond Champions', and is looking for 60 people aged 60 plus, in honour of the Queens Diamond Jubilee.
The Lord Lieutenant issued the club with a challenge - 'who do you know that could be chosen for their outstanding community work?'.
Now that was a thoroughly enjoyable talk, which got club members thinking, from an outstanding and unique speaker.
(For a brief look at some photos of Joan in her very versatile role as HM Lord Lieutenant for Co. Antrim, just 'Click' this link)
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A look back to the Minutes archive for 3rd April 2012…
The President, Ross Torrens welcomed members and guests to the meeting… …The President then introduced our speaker, the Lord Lieutenant of Co. Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie. Joan then treated the members to a highly interesting talk on how she became selected to be a 'Lord Lieutenant' and just what that particular role entailed as well as a little of the history involved. The post goes back to Tudor times, and there are 8 L.Ls in NI (one each for the six counties and one for Belfast and for Londonderry).
Before the 1900s the post holder normally had a military background, or was of the 'landed gentry' - one of the tasks is to raise an army from the area. Current duties of the LLs are to accompany the Monarch or any member of the Royal Family that is visiting the County, and provide introductions to the many and various people these occasions invariably involver. Joan gave the members some fascinating insights into these special occasions and the preparation involved.
Surprisingly, although the role is a highly formal and historical, there is no actual training provided for new LLs, whom are normally appointed to the post for around 10 years.
The talk was followed by an all to short question and answer session, in which we learnt how the section process was arranged, and also the roles of the 20 Deputy LLs in the Antrim area.
A vote of thanks was then proposed by Gordon Ward, who, in his Saturday role of assessing referees performance, gave Joan a full 5 out of 5 score for an outstanding and entertaining performance.
The president passed on our thanks, and the members showed their appreciation.
