Down's Syndrome theatre group president receives royal invitation

Mar 31 2011 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON woman was left speechless last week after she received an invitation to meet the Queen later this year.

Lorna Leggat, of South Park Road, has been asked to attend an evening reception at Buckingham Palace to represent Lanarkshire’s Ups and Downs Theatre group.

Lorna has been the club president for almost seven years and will attend the reception hosted by the Queen and Prince Philip for her support with young people in the performing arts.

Ups and Downs was established in 1995 to provide a fun, creative outlet for young people with Down’s Syndrome and their brothers and sisters, through the medium of dance and drama.

Lorna has three children Ellis, who has Down’s Syndrome, Miles and Nicole, who have all helped out and starred in various Ups and Downs shows over the years.

She said: “The letter came through the door last week I still can’t believe it — it’s obviously a huge honour for the club. I was left absolutely speechless. I never expected anything like this.

“I would have loved to have taken the children from the club but it’s just me that has been invited to go to represent them.

“The club itself is so unique and it is such a privilege to be asked to go and spread the word about Ups and Downs to as far as Buckingham Palace.”

Lorna had already planned to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary that week but has had to reschedule her plans for the following week in order to make her special engagement.

She said: “I don’t really know much more about the event but I can’t wait. Unfortunately, the date collides with our wedding anniversary but I can’t really turn the Queen down.

“So the travel firm has been really good and I explained the situation so we have been able to change the dates around.”