Best of British as pupils take in ceremony

Youngsters witness induction

The red carpet was rolled out to Cathkin High pupils recently as they attended their first citizenship ceremony.

The event is usually held in private, but sixth year pupils from the Cambuslang secondary were given a special invite to witness foreigners living locally officially becoming British citizens.

Lady Susan Haughey CBE, the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, led the ceremony where citizens traditionally swear an oath to the Queen and country, or alternatively give an affirmation to be a faithful servant of the country.

The citizenship ceremony was held at the South Lanarkshire Council headquarters in Hamilton, and the lord lieutenant aims to include every secondary school in South Lanarkshire in ceremonies by the end of the year.

Lady Haughey said: “The day went very well and we were delighted to have Cathkin High pupils along to the citizenship ceremony so they could see first hand people officially becoming new British citizens.

“It was about welcoming these citizens, some of whom had waited 10 or 12 years to become British citizens and had been working in the community all that time.

“These people are a part of our community, paying their taxes, and are being good neighbours. It’s right that they are given the same rights and privileges of others who live here.”

The group of people who had become British citizens were originally from USA, Poland, Iran, South Africa and Hong Kong.