Until I started to scrutinise the Lord Mayor's schedule more closely a few months ago, I had not realised that citizenship ceremonies were a thing in the UK. They sort of sneaked up on me without my noticing.
These ceremonies are big in the USA of course and apparently have been here since February 2004. Some areas make a big fuss, others just get on with them quietly behind closed doors. In Swansea we fall into the former category.
So today, I was dressed in the full Deputy Lord Mayor's robes and joined one of the Deputy Lord Lieutenants and the High Sheriif (complete with garters and sword) to welcome eleven new citizens to the UK.
Many of them had been settled in Swansea for some time and were already part of the community and contributing to the local economy. They brought along friends and members of their family to watch and, after affirming their loyalty to the Queen, were presented with a certificate, a welcome pack and a souvenir present.
They had come from countries all over the world to make their home here and it was important that they were made welcome. This ceremony was the welcoming committee.
No comments:
Post a Comment