Citizenship, at last!

I attended the citizenship ceremony for my friend V and 13 other people at Shire Hall in Gloucester today. As there were several ceremonies held today at different times, around 60 people will have been made UK citizens today in Gloucester.

The ceremony lasted about an hour. The deputy Lord Lieutenant of South Gloucestershire, and a representative from Gloucestershire county council, each made a speech. There was a lot of emphasis on volunteering! Each new citizen had to swear or affirm an oath publicly (with prompting) then they each came up to get their certificate. We all stood for God Save the King. There was lots of clapping, and no singing.

Later there was a photo-opp, which is when I took this shot. We were free to go then, so we (V and me and her other guest J) went for lunch at a cafe near the Cathedral, where we were joined by J’s daughter and grandson. I insisted that V should try a cream tea as well as her savoury course. We all pitched in to help!

I’ve known V for two years. She tells me it was two years ago today that I organised a small gang and helped her vacate her house in a hurry. She is now divorced, in a new job and relationship, and as of today, a British citizen. I’ve now got an Irish passport, but for V, being allowed to apply for a British passport means that she’ll be able to travel. She has a S. African passport, but while she’s been here in the UK for the first five years, she’s only been allowed to travel between the UK and South Africa. This will change, as she is now allowed back in the UK if she leaves for a short while.

After lunch, we walked near the cathedral and I dragged V into my two favourite shops in Via Sacra: the Tailor of Gloucester’s house museum, and Pilgrims, which sells crystals and other items. V bought a little pendant. She was a bit worried about displacing her Catholic medal of Our Lady, but I told her that the lady wouldn’t want her to feel guilty. I bought a little citrine stone.

Then we drove back to Stroud in V’s newish Lancia. We’ve decided we must go to Gloucester together more often.


I must add that it costs thousands of pounds, a great deal of form filling, and a long wait, usually at least five years , to become a Uk citizen. Applicants have to pass an English test and a Life in the Uk test. It’s not an avenue open to everyone. I can’t compare it to a process offered by any other country, because I have no knowledge of their processes.