Chair hosts reception for community groups organising events as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations
28th April 2022
The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, recently hosted a reception at the Ardhowen Theatre for representatives of community groups who have organised events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Please see below, text of the Chair’s address at the reception
Viscount Brookeborough, Distinguished guests, Councillors, Ladies and gentlemen
As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you to the Ardhowen Theatre this evening for this reception to recognise your efforts to organise and host events to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. I would like to extend a particularly warm welcome to Viscount Brookeborough who is with us this evening in his capacity as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Fermanagh. I am delighted that you could be with us.
On 6th February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II reached an unprecedented anniversary when she celebrated 70 years on the throne, the first British Monarch to achieve this significant milestone. During the Queen’s 70 year reign, she has dedicated her life to serve the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The Queen regards public and voluntary service as one of the key elements of her work and she regularly supports and encourages achievement in many aspects of life, hosting garden parties and receptions to say thank you. It is for this reason that it is fitting that numerous community-led events are taking place across the country in recognition of her devoted service.
A variety of events are scheduled to take place over the Jubilee Weekend from 2 to 5 June 2022 and I am delighted that the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area will be part of the celebrations as the most westerly region of the United Kingdom.
Throughout the District, you and many other community groups and volunteers are planning a wide range of exciting events for all ages including Big Lunches, Tea Parties, family fun days, BBQs and many other activities and I am pleased that the Council has been able to support your hard work through the provision of Grant Aid.
The Council has also provided sponsorship to support an exhibition at Enniskillen Castle Museums entitled ‘Our Coronation Story’ which features the outfit worn by the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee visit to Enniskillen in 2012 as well as souvenirs and memories of those who remembered the Coronation. I would encourage you all to take time to visit this unique exhibition which will be on display from 2 to 12 June 2022.
The sponsorship provided to the Fermanagh Branch of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland will support a Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting and a performance by 100 pipers and musicians on 2 June and a Beating of the Retreat at Wellington Road Car Park on 4 June.
The Platinum Jubilee is a momentous occasion which will enable community spirit to shine bringing people together across the District to celebrate this wonderful milestone, build relationships and create a legacy for future generations.
Our communities play a vital role within the District promoting a sense of belonging and togetherness, providing support to each other and creating opportunities for everyone to share their experiences, make lasting friendships and strengthen community resilience. It is people like you and the many others involved in community groups and volunteering that make our District special and a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend you and convey my heartfelt thanks to you for your work in your communities, not just at this time, but throughout the year. Your commitment and dedication is very much appreciated and will be an inspiration to our future generations.
I found a quote by Her Majesty The Queen which was included in her address to the UN General Assembly in July 2010 which I believe is fitting for you. She said “I know no single formula for success, but over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal, and are often about finding ways to encourage people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together”.
I am confident that as you prepare for your Platinum Jubilee events, you will show leadership to encourage people within your communities to combine their efforts, talents, insights, enthusiasm and inspiration to make each and every event in the District a great success and one to be remembered for many years to come as when our future generations reminisce of this historical event. Thank you.