![]() The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, today joined Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to raise the flag for Commonwealth Day. He was joined by the High Sheriff of County Antrim, Mr John Lockett, OBE, the First Minister, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, MP, the Mayor, Alderman Stephen Martin, and other Councillors. Whilst in Lisburn, they also planted a tree for the Platinum Jubilee, as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative. For further information, please click here to see the Council's press release. The Lord-Lieutenant then attended a Commonwealth Day service in St Columb's Church in Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn organised by 38 (Irish) Brigade. Meanwhile:
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The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, today attended 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment's St Patrick’s Day Parade in Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn, for the traditional shamrock presentation as part of the regimental family day. This was the first parade of this scale that the Battalion have been able to put on since 2016. The Lord-Lieutenant inspected the parade; addressed the soldiers, their families and the veterans; and helped present the traditional sprig of shamrock. The Lord-Lieutenant of was accompanied by his Lord-Lieutenant Cadet, Cadet Company Sergeant Major Ciara McKay of 1st (NI) BN ACF. This was Ciara's last duty in the role and we wish her all the best for the future. The Lord-Lieutenant addressed the parade and said: "Distinguished guests, Ladies & Gentlemen It is a real honour to be here today representing Her Majesty the Queen at your Battalion St Patrick’s Day Parade, particularly given that this the first time you have paraded collectively, and on this scale, since 2016. This long-standing tradition of wearing a “sprig of shamrock” marks the strong links between the gallantry of the Irish soldier and the recognition first bestowed by Queen Victoria dating back to the Battle of Colenso in 1900. It is only fitting that this tradition has been continued to this day, by successive monarchs. The parade today reflects the enduring bravery and sacrifice of soldiers from this Island who have taken the oath of allegiance and served without fear or favour. The 2nd Battalion continues to carry the mantle for those who have gone before you, and, on a personal note, this includes my Grandfather who served at the Somme with one of your antecedent regiments. Today’s Battalion continues to exemplify the commitment, spirit and pledge of continued service that was so clearly demonstrated back in the first World War. When I look around at those on parade today, and see the impressive and varied collection of medals, it highlights the professionalism and dedication of the Battalion. The pride in belonging to this Battalion is also very evident; with so many Caubeens being held particularly high today. It is, therefore, no surprise that this Battalion is so well recruited and I am delighted that you are currently in the process of expanding your footprint into Limavady and Newtownards and have just been given orders to raise a fifth Company in Enniskillen. The latter obviously being a hugely symbolic regimental location, given this is where the regiment was first raised back in 1689. Many regiments across the Army point to the excellent ties between the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and they aspire to mirror and emulate your proven success and enduring relationship. You have led the way in demonstrating how both Regular and Reserve soldiers can work together effortlessly in the modern ‘One Army’ and you have shown how the pride of the Irish soldier continues to make a difference wherever you go. So, to be joining you at this St Patrick’s Day parade, in HM’s Platinum Jubilee year, is particularly special and it is my great privilege to be able to share it with you, your families, veterans and the wider Regimental circle. Therefore, it just leaves me to close by thanking you all, most sincerely, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, for your service and to wish you all a very happy St Patrick’s Day. Faugh a Ballagh" Over the last week the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, Honorary Colonel of 1st (NI) Bn ACF, joined both C and D Company of 1st (NI) Bn ACF as they took part in the Queen's Green Canopy initiative to plant trees to mark Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Last weekend the Lord-Lieutenant joined D Company at Carnmoney. They were joined by the the Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Billy Webb, MBE, JP, and the Commandant of 1st (NI) Bn ACF, Colonel Adrian Donaldson, MBE, VR, DL. This weekend he joined cadets from C Company, Ballymena Sea Cadets and the Air Cadets to plant 250 oak trees in Ballymena. It was a great initiative to have cross-service cadets in attendance. They were also joined by the Deputy Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Matthew Armstrong. ![]() The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Deputy Lieutenants (DLs): Broughshane and Loughguile Colonel Samuel (Sam) McCammond, UD, VR, lives in Broughshane. Sam served in the UDR and then the Royal Irish Regiment. He was Commandant of 2nd (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force (ACF) between 2018 and 2021. He retired from Stevenson & Reid in 2021 as a Director. Peter Mackie lives at Lissanoure Castle, Loughguile, where he farms and runs a wedding and hospitality business. Peter has had a distinguished career in the property world and, amongst other appointments, is a member of the Prince's Trust NI Advisory Committee. Their commissions were dated 7th February 2022 and their appointments were published in the Gazette today. The Lord-Lieutenant and the Antrim Lieutenancy would like to congratulate Sam and Peter and welcome them to the team. For further information on the role of a DL, please click here. This morning the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, on behalf of the Northern Irish Lord-Lieutenants, took the Royal Gun Salute at Hillsborough Castle to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of Queen Elizabeth II. Accession Day was on 6th February, however Royal Gun Salutes never take place on a Sunday. The Royal Gun Salutes at Hillsborough are undertaken on rotation by the all of Lord-Lieutenants in Northern Ireland and are organised by RFCA NI. The Lord-Lieutenant was joined by his Lord-Lieutenant Cadet, Cadet Company Sergeant Major Ciara McKay, of 1st (NI) Bn ACF, Antrim. On the eve of the 70th anniversary of her Accession to the throne, Her Majesty The Queen released a message thanking the public and her family for their support, and looking forward to Platinum Jubilee celebrations over the coming year. Further information can be found on the Royal Family website: https://www.royal.uk/accession-day-2022 ![]() This Sunday, the 6th February 2022, marks the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen's accession to the throne, marking the official start of the Platinum Jubilee. This week the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, wrote to HM The Queen on behalf of the people of County Antrim ahead of the anniversary on Sunday. You can view the official record of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II on the Gazette here: www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39458/supplement/757 There will be year-long Platinum Jubilee celebrations throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world as communities come together to celebrate The Queen’s historic 70 years reign. We have created a dedicated Platinum Jubilee page on our website, which you can view here.
For more information on HM's Platinum Jubilee, please visit the Royal Family website: https://www.royal.uk/platinumjubilee Please find a summary of the key events below: Thursday 2nd June The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour): Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together in the traditional Parade to mark The Queen's official birthday, usually held on the second Saturday in June. Beginning at Buckingham Palace, the Parade will move down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, joined by Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. The Parade will close with the traditional RAF fly-past, watched by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony. Tickets for this incredible spectacular are available to the public and applications for the ballot are open until the end of February. Please visit qbp.army.mod.uk from the week commencing 17 January 2022 to apply. Platinum Jubilee Beacons: The United Kingdom’s long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons will be continued to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Over 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories. For the first time, beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth countries to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Principal beacon will be lit in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Friday 3rd June Service of Thanksgiving: A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral. Further events will be announced in due course. Saturday 4th June The Derby at Epsom Downs: Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs. Platinum Party at the Palace: The BBC will stage and broadcast a special live concert from Buckingham Palace that will bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven decade reign. Members of the public will be invited to apply to attend this special event and details of the ballot for UK residents to secure audience tickets will be released in February. Sunday 5th June The Big Jubilee Lunch: Every year since the idea began in 2009 The Big Lunch has encouraged communities to celebrate their connections and get to know each other a little bit better, coming together in a spirit of fun and friendship. In 2022 The Big Lunch will bring the Jubilee celebrations into the heart of every community. People are invited to share friendship, food and fun with neighbours as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. A Big Jubilee Lunch can be big or small - street party or picnic, tea and cake or a garden barbeque. The Big Lunch provides tips and ideas for hosting an event. Over 1400 people have registered to host Big Jubilee Lunches so far, with events being planned across the length and breadth of the country. The Platinum Jubilee Pageant: Artistic performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers will unite to tell the story of The Queen’s 70 year reign in an awe-inspiring festival of creativity. The London based Pageant will combine pomp and ceremony, street arts, theatre, music, circus, costumes as well as cutting-edge visual technology, drawing on talent from every part of the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. Forming an important part of the Platinum Pageant, the ‘River of Hope’ section will comprise of two hundred silk flags which will process down The Mall, appearing like a moving river. Primary and secondary school children are invited to create a picture of their hopes and aspirations for the planet over the next 70 years. A selection of these creations will be transferred on to silk flags, which will carried by secondary school pupils in the Pageant. The artwork for the flags will be focused on climate change and incorporate the children’s messages for the future. Teachers from applying schools will be provided with step-by-step guides to creating a beautiful digital artwork with their students, of which 200 will then be selected for the flags. The selected artwork will also be shown up and down the country on screens as part of the Jubilee celebrations. For more information and to register your school’s interest to take part please go to riverofhope.co.uk. Further Platinum Jubilee events: The Queen's Green Canopy As the Platinum Jubilee year begins, over 60,000 trees have already been planted in the UK through the project in the two months since the planting season began. Green-fingered communities and cities from Cornwall to Glasgow have come together to make 2022 a truly special year to “plant a tree for the Jubilee” as a celebration of The Queen’s 70 years of service to the nation and the Commonwealth. The Queen’s Green Canopy is generating the planting of large, celebration trees, new majestic avenues of trees, urban planting, and expansive new forests that will benefit future generations. Every planting is being recorded on a digital Queen’s Green Canopy map which will be presented to Her Majesty at the end of the Jubilee year. The Queen’s Green Canopy is also working to protect 70 ancient trees and woodlands that are a valuable part of the UK’s heritage and history and has launched a special training programme to teach unemployed young people new skills in tree planting and management, as well as a Young Foresters Award to highlight the value of trees to school children. The Queen’s Green Canopy will continue throughout 2022 and into March 2023. Royal Collection Trust Three special displays marking significant occasions in Her Majesty’s reign – the Accession, the Coronation and Jubilees – will be staged at the official royal residences from July 2022. At the Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, portraits of The Queen taken by photographer Dorothy Wilding between 1953 and 1956 will be on display, alongside items of Her Majesty’s personal jewellery worn for the sittings. At Windsor Castle, the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate worn by The Queen for her Coronation at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953 will be on display, while at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, visitors will see outfits worn by Her Majesty on occasions to celebrate the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees. The Queen’s Private Estates Celebrations will also take place on The Queen’s private estates, Sandringham and Balmoral, for local residents and visitors to enjoy. Events free for members of the public to take part in over the Bank Holiday weekend will include ‘Platinum Party at the Palace’ on the big screen in the Royal Parkland at Sandringham - a live screening of the BBC Concert celebrating the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven-decade reign. The lighting of the Sandringham beacon will also take place in the Royal Parkland, accompanied by live music from the Norwich Pipe Band and the Hunstanton Band. The Platinum Jubilee Celebration From 12th -15th May the Platinum Jubilee Celebration will see over 500 horses and 1,000 performers create a 90-minute piece of arena theatre that will include actors and artists, musicians, international military displays, dancers and global equestrian displays. The show takes place in the same arena used by Royal Windsor Horse Show during the day and is the fourth in a series of events at the same venue that have marked significant moments in the life of The Queen. The production will take the audience on a gallop through history from Elizabeth I to the present day. For further information please visit: https://www.royal.uk/platinum-jubilee-central-weekend Congratulations to Mr John Anthony Lockett, OBE, on his appointment as High Sheriff of County Antrim for 2022, which was announced in the London Gazette today, he takes over from Mrs Susan Pinkerton. To see the announcement, please click here.
Mr Lockett lives at Richmond Court, Lisburn, County Antrim. Please click here to find out more about the role of High Sheriff and how it differs from the Lieutenancy. The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, and the Antrim Lieutenancy, congratulate the 20 people from County Antrim who received National Honours in the New Years Honours List.
The Lord-Lieutenant expressed his thanks to all the worthy recipients for their selfless service to the County and their local communities. They are: Order of the British Empire Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Mr Jonathan REA MBE Dunadry, County Antrim - For services to Motorcycle Racing Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) Mrs Maureen Elizabeth DUNN Newtownabbey, County Antrim - For services to Drama and the Performing Arts in Northern Ireland Mrs Edith Mary Adelaide FLECK Lisburn, County Antrim - For services to the Community in Northern Ireland Reverend Dr Samuel GRANT Carrickfergus, County Antrim - For services to the community in Carrickfergus, County Antrim Dr Allison Josephine GRAY Newtownabbey, County Antrim - For services to St John Ambulance in Northern Ireland Mr Paul Mark JOHNSTON Newtownabbey, County Antrim - Head Coach and Project Manager, Monkstown Amateur Boxing Club. For services to Sport and to the community in County Antrim Mr Colin Hugh NEILL Larne, County Antrim - Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster. For services to the Hospitality Industry in Northern Ireland Mr Robert William SCOTT Carrickfergus, County Antrim - Chief Executive, Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland. For services to Prisoners and their Families in Northern Ireland Mr Edwin John SHANKS Ballyclare, County Antrim - For services to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) Mrs Anne BROWN (MONICA ANNE COLLINS) Belfast, County Antrim - Counsellor, Women’s Aid, Belfast. For services to Victims of Domestic Violence Mr Stephen CRAWFORD Ahoghill, County Antrim - Founder, Coaching for Christ. For services to Young People in Co Antrim Dr Ian Clive HUMPHREYS Larne, County Antrim - Chief Executive, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. For services to the Environment Mr George Ivor MCCANDLESS Lisburn, County Antrim - For services to Golf in Northern Ireland Mr William MCFARLAND Ahoghill, Ballymena, County Antrim - For services to Music in County Antrim Mr James Samuel MCILROY Larne, County Antrim - For services to Athletics in Northern Ireland Ms Mary Louise MCILWEE (MARY LOUISE GOODMAN) Randalstown, County Antrim - For services to the Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Vulnerable People in County Antrim Mr Robert John Ivor MCMULLAN Cullybackey, Ballymena, County Antrim - Head of Parks, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. For public service during Covid-19 Mrs Mary Elizabeth SINNAMON Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, County Antrim - For services to Education and the community in County Antrim Mr Thomas Gordon SMYTH Ballymoney, County Antrim - Board Member, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. For Public Service Mr Willam James Crawford WILSON Islandmagee, Larne, County Antrim - For services to the community in County Antrim The New Years Honours list was released at 10:30pm last night. The full list can be viewed on the Gazette website, by clicking here or by copying the below link: www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/63571/supplement/N1 Do you know someone who is worthy of receiving an honour? If so, do have a look at the honours section of our website or get in touch. |
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