PICTURES: Surprise for ex-Provost at Inverness Royal Naval Association's jubilee lunch
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FORMER Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael was surprised with a presentation while attending the Inverness Royal Naval Association’s (RNA) Queen’s Jubilee lunch.
The Inverness RNA honour was bestowed on ex-Provost Carmichael, who stood down from Highland Council before the recent local elections, because as Provost, she also carried the historic honorary title of Admiral of the Cromarty Firth.
A presentation was also made at the lunch in the city’s Craigmonie Hotel, to Trevor Carnall, the Inverness RNA’s recently retired chairman.
Bob Coburn has returned to the chairmanship, a post he held previously for 11 years.
Mr Coburn said: “We thought the ex-Provost Carmichael would be in the garden more so a gilet was a good practical gift, along with a special presentation bottle of Purser’s Rum which is 54.5 per cent and known as Gunpowder.
“Back in the old days before the Provost was given Admiral status, the local police had no authority over sailors coming ashore and creating mayhem, but when the Provost was made an Admiral, they could take control.
“We had more than 20 members and guests at the Craigmonie, who did us proud.”
It is a busy time for ex-service personnel like Mr Coburn with the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War this week, and he was heading down south where the RNA, the Royal Marines Association and the Association of Wrens were granted the Freedom of the City of Portsmouth for their service in that conflict.
