LANCASHIRE AUTHORS' ASSOCIATION
It isn't every day that one of our members receives an honours degree in Creative Writing, so we thought it would be fitting to give Charmian her own page
as our way of saying well done! Read below her account of her big day and see her receiving her award.
NEVER TOO LATE
On Monday 24th June 2013 I travelled to London with my granddaughter, Sarah, Mary Cardwell, a member of the LAA and Jackie Buksh, a former member of the LAA and ‘Chair’ of Blackpool Writers’ Circle. It was a very special occasion!
At 76 years of age, I was to be presented with my BA Hons Degree in Creative Writing from the Open College of the Arts. The ceremony was to be held by the University of Creative Art at the Royal Festival Hall on Tuesday 25th of June.
After changing trains at Preston we settled down to enjoy a surprise, picnic lunch consisting of finger food and small bottles of wine, courtesy of my granddaughter. It was all quite wonderful and in keeping with the occasion.
Determined to enjoy every minute of the trip, at Waterloo we took a taxi to our Travel Lodge where we were to stay. Later, we had a meal in the Victoria Restaurant, then went to see Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre. The show was brilliant.
The following morning we had breakfast at Garfunkels – a smart restaurant, and after a short walk morning coffee at the Savoy. This is where we found out how the other half live! The coffee which had leaf-like designs in the cream on the top was served with plates of hand-made biscuits. It was wonderful in the Savoy, especially the ‘Ladies’ with the gold-plated taps.
It was a fine day and I had to be at the Royal Festival Hall for 1pm. so we made our way there and I was attired in my cap and gown. Quite a lot of pictures were taken including one taken by the official photographer – I shall receive this in about six weeks time.
My guests then proceeded upstairs and I joined the other graduates in the seats in front of the stage. Three people at a time would come up one after the other, cross the stage to shake hands with the Chancellor of the university and then collect their temporary degree – the actual degree will be sent to us by post. Most of the graduates from the University of Creative Art were young, but I was seated with a dozen or so OCA students who were all more mature!
I was the last one on – the only graduate for creative writing, so it appeared I got all the applause. The place erupted according to Mary. I shook hands with the Chancellor and received my temporary degree. I then joined my guests for the one glass of white wine provided by the UCA. I handed back my cap and gown and we left the Royal Festival Hall.
Wishing to keep up the celebrations we went to The Duke to have cocktails. Sarah and Mary couldn’t manage all their cocktails so I finished them up and became rather mellow. We then took a taxi back to the Travel Lodge and had a meal next door at a fish and chip restaurant. That evening Mary and Sarah went on the London Eye, I didn’t go, which I now regret. They said it, was unbelievable.
On the train home, the following day we had another little party, this time compliments of Mary and Sarah, sandwiches, crisps, and to bring us all back down to earth, a plastic glass of red wine with a lid on the top of it. Fortunately, this time I didn’t get as squiffy as I had with the cocktails!
CHARMIAN COATES
