A fantastic day was had by all last Friday when my daughter, Kirsty, graduated from Newcastle University with a BA Hons in Modern Languages. These days don't come along too often so you have to make the most of them. We travelled to Gateshead on Thursday evening to give us a relaxed start to the day. The ceremony wasn't until 4pm so we did all the necessary - collected the gown, had the photos taken, had a bit of lunch and wandered around the campus to find out where our baby had been spending her time for the last four years. The ceremony was a lovely affair in the dignified surroundings of the King's Hall at the university. A strange thing about Newcastle is that you don't get to wear a mortar board - well, I ask you, what is the whole point of all that burning of the midnight oil if not to have the opportunity to wear a silly hat? Anyway, part of the award ceremony is to be 'hooded', ie some geezer called the Hooding Marshal slings the hood over your head and leaves it dangling unceremoniously around your throat, much in the style of a hangman. Strange goings on...
We had a lovely reception afterwards, with bubbly, canapes and strawberries and cream. Very nice. For our own personal celebration, we went to a Turkish restaurant and then walked down to the Quayside for a drink before bedtime. We shall live on the enjoyment of that day for some time to come...
I meant to post something about this ages ago, but forgot. Anyway it is something I am really chuffed about. My big sister, Maria, and her daughter Jeanette have been involved for a few years with a kids' project in their locality. It is called the Stockbridge Village Junior Rangers and involves working with youngsters to look after a local area of woodland and learn all about nature. Anyway, they were nominated for an Observer Ethical Award and were joint winners of the Ecover Ethical Children's Award. Maria, Jeanette and other leaders attended the award ceremony at the swanky Kensington Roof Gardens amongst such luminaries as David Attenborough. Highlight for Maria was undoubtedly the opportunity to snog Mr D'Arcy himself, Colin Firth...perhaps I exaggerate ever so slightly! Have a look at the video link to find out about the fab work of the Rangers. I am so proud of Maria and Jeanette for the hard work they put in.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2009/jun/03/observer-ethical-awards-kids1
Jeanette is second from left and Maria is the one next to her snuggling up to Mr D'Arcy!
2 comments:
congratulations kirsty! and good on you all! :-) no funny hats!? shocker! and those hoods can be a bit sinister... i always wonder what the stories behind all the different kinds of ceremonial gowns, hoods and hats are. i always find the ceremonial stuff quite impressive, especially having never gone this route myself. my brother has and i've enjoyed attending things for him in the past. i'm a very proud brother. we're chalk and cheese, but if it had been left to me there'd have been no ceremony in our family to enjoy! oh, apart from wedding... i guess he's not done that. i love a good wedding, me. :-)
anyway, back to the point. congratulations to you all!
much love,
jx
Thanks Jon!
I'm very partial to a bit of ceremony myself. I know some people don't understand the fuss but I think it raises events above the everyday - makes them stand out as special.
That's why, although I call myself neither a monarchist nor a republican, I secretly enjoy all those big royal events...suppose it also goes some way to explaining why I haven't kicked Catholicism into touch! hahaha! ;)
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