Lady Sylvia Hermon is guest of Men’s Society
Church of Ireland Mens’ Society members recently attended a meeting hosted by Holywood branch at which the speaker was Lady Sylvia Hermon, MP for North Down.
Lady Sylvia shared her story, including how, after the death of her mother in a drowning accident, she and her two sisters were brought up by her father on a Co. Tyrone farm.
Following graduation in Law from Aberystwyth University she became a lecturer in Law at Queen’s University. When she drafted an article alleging discrimination by the Chief Constable in refusing to allow women to be armed, she was invited to Jack Hermon’s office. It was in fact, shown to have been a government decision, rendering her article useless.
The visit, however, was the beginning of a friendship that resulted in marriage. Jack Hermon’s wife had recently died and it was not long before Sylvia became Lady Hermon.
Afterwards, members had a chance to question Lady Sylvia and the topics included her views on Ian Paisley and former British Prime Ministers, Blair and Brown.
“It was an excellent evening,” said Arthur Macartney (Hon Lay Secretary) “covering everything from rural life to Affairs of State.”
Pictured from left:
Dr Roddy Evans (CIMS Media Rep ), Revd Roger Elks (Vicar of Holywood), Lady Sylvia Hermon MP, Tommy Holmes ( Holywood Branch Chairman), Arthur Macartney (CIMS Lay Hon Sec).