BRING A TOUCH OF ROYALTY TO AREA
Stephen is keen to see region recognised
Strath residents have been encouraged to ensure community-spirited locals get the chance to be given the royal seal of approval.
That’s the message from Her Majesty the Queen’s personal representative in Perth and Kinross – Crieff’s Stephen Leckie.
Cutting a striking figure in the bespoke navy and red uniform with ceremonial sword, the 54 year-old is the new Lord Lieutenant.
Accompanied by his two cadets, Levi Sweeney and Katherine McKenzie, Stephen is the first person members of the royal family meet when they arrive in the area.
As well as arranging all visits by members of the royal family and escorting them during their time in the area, the Lord Lieutenant also has the role of presenting medals and awards on behalf of Her Majesty.
And now that he has settled in to his duties, Stephen is keen to see the county’s special people, anniversaries and events recognised.
He told the Herald: “Don’t be shy to make a request for a royal visit. Send me a request and I will look at it.
“Why would they want to visit Perth and Kinross? We have the only official private army in the world - the Blair Atholl Highlanders; we have Scone Palace and other castles; the longest river in Britain, the longest corner at St
Fillans, the biggest hedge near Blairgowrie, Crieff Highland Games, Innerpeffray Library – all these things.
“To anyone who’s got anything unusual happening in the county of Perth and Kinross, why would you like a royal to visit? There needs to be three or four reasons. For example an event that is 100 years old. Then there’s birthdays and anniversaries. Let us know in advance and we can arrange a card from the Queen for a diamond anniversary or 100th birthday.
“I’ve already presented a British Empire Medal and that had a real feel-good factor.
“Anyone who thinks their friend is deserving of an honour or an award from the Queen should write to me telling me about the amazing things their friend has done in the county or for their local association or in their job.
“It doesn’t have to be that extraordinary – they don’t have to have flown to the moon or climbed Mount Everest.
“They might just have done their job really well for the past 25 years. Anything that people think might merit an honour from the Queen, write to me.
“There’s 150,000 folk in this area but I only know a handful of these people so I need to get the nominations.”
Stephen can also invite people to the garden party and believes the youngest generation should be among the guests.
He would like to see all head girls and boys invited, as well as cadets.
Appointed in July Stephen – a former Crieff Community Council chair and CEO of Crieff Hydro Hotel – is the youngest Lord Lieutenant in Britain and was a deputy to his predecessor, Brigadier Sir Melville Jameson .
Stephen continued:“I’ve learnt so much from Mel and am still learning.
“I phone Mel every week and he can still teach me so much about protocol, etiquette, about being a Lord Lieutenant, what I do to facilitate and address the royals.
“But it’s not just about the royal family although that is a big thing – to attract royals to the area – it’s about making folk feel good about living in this county.”
He added:“All the pomp and ceremony that goes with dressing up and looking the part, that’s about helping make folk feel good about what they have done.
“That’s a big thing for me but on the other hand I realise that I am a‘servant leader’– I’m a servant leader in my company anyway – but I’m a servant leader to the county as well and while I’m the most senior person in the county, I’m actually a servant to everyone and I want to make folk from all walks of life and all geographical areas feel good about being and living here.”
• Email lordlieutenant@pkc.gov.uk