RESERVISTS AND CADETS HELP TO HONOUR MRS JOAN CHRISTIE, HM LORD LIEUTENANT FOR COUNTY ANTRIM

Mrs Joan Christie CVO OBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Antrim, the Queen’s official representative, was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Mid and East Antrim on Saturday 21 April 2018. Local cadets and members of the reserve forces took part in the ceremony to mark the occasion, with a special guest appearance by Brian Boru, the mascot of the Royal Irish Regiment.

The honour pays tribute to individuals or organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to civic life. Elected Members of Mid and East Antrim Borough council previously proposed and agreed the award in recognition of Mrs Christie’s outstanding public service and exceptional representation of Her Majesty as Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Antrim.

Mrs Christie said: “I am truly humbled to have been awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Mid and East Antrim.

“This remarkable area and its people are extremely close to my heart.

“It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to serve the citizens of County Antrim as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant.

“I thank the people of Mid and East Antrim for this award, which I accept on behalf of all the inspirational individuals, groups and organisations I feel fortunate to have worked alongside over the past decade.”

Around 250 guests were present for the official conferment ceremony, including community and charity representatives, Armed Forces personnel, politicians and Mrs Christie’s family and close friends.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Paul Reid, said the occasion was befitting of the warmth for and esteem in which Mrs Christie is held in Mid and East Antrim.

“The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour and accolade a Council can award and Mrs Christie is an extremely worthy recipient of such prestigious recognition.

“The Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Antrim is an incredible and devoted representative of Her Majesty The Queen and a tireless ambassador for our area.

“Mrs Christie is unwavering in her support for both our citizens and this Council, and radiates warmth and kindness at every one of her many engagements.

“In conferring the Freedom of the Borough, we recognise Mrs Christie’s outstanding contribution to the people of Mid and East Antrim, and Northern Ireland, through her remarkable public service.”

Mrs Christie becomes the second recipient of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Mid and East Antrim, after B (The North Irish Horse) Squadron, Scottish North Irish Yeomanry were conferred the honour in 2015. Mrs Christie’s late husband, Col Dan Christie, served with the North Irish Horse.

Pictured above at the ceremony are the Lord Lieutenants’ Cadets for County Antrim, Cadet Sergeant Yasmin Andrews and Cadet Warrant Officer Rebekah McFetridge.  The guard of honour was provided by the 2nd battalion The Royal Irish Regiment and B (North Irish Horse) Squadron, Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry.

Musical contributions were made by The Band of the Royal Irish Regiment and the Band of the 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force, as well as pipers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment and the Pipes and Drums of the 1st (NI) Bn ACF Cadet Band.