Sir Patrick, Lady Allen Celebrate 40 years

LOVE DEFINITELY filled the packed King’s House Ballroom on Sunday, July 19 as Governor General Sir Patrick and Lady Allen celebrated 40 years of marriage with a musical recital featuring performances by tenor Rory Baugh and violinist Paulette Bellamy, along with sopranos Lori Burnett and Ana Strachan, accompanied by pianist Livingston Burnett.

Compere Fae Ellington guided the programme as the performers delighted Their Excellencies and their family and friends with renditions such as Because God made you mine, And this is my Beloved and Till there was you.

However, it was a duet by Lori Burnett and Rory Baugh titled ‘All I ask of You’ that saw the happy couple holding hands. This drew quite a few quips from Ellington as well as exciting responses from the audience as she relayed what she had observed.

In their remarks following the musical presentations, Sir Patrick and Lady Allen admitted that they were at a loss for words to express their deep appreciation to those who turned out to celebrate with them. “Lady Allen and I are speechless and cannot find words to show how deeply honoured we are by your presence and support for us as we celebrate our 40th year of journeying side by side in marriage,” Sir Patrick said.

In lieu of gifts, guests were asked to contribute to a scholarship fund which will enable a worthy student at the University of Technology to pursue a course of study in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The couple had initially shied away from the idea of such a celebratory event, but relented when they learnt it would benefit a worthy and needy young person, longing for a bright future.

JOURNEY GUIDED BY GOD

Their Excellencies described their 40 years together as a “wonderful, exciting and interesting journey” and described the experience as “trekking into the unknown and seeing doors open before us, difficulties surmounted and memories formed”.

They credit the success of their marriage to God’s guidance and a commitment to trust each other, always believing that everything would work out for good. The evening concluded with a reception on the East Lawn which included a cake-cutting and toasts.

Sharing the occasion were Opposition Leader Andrew Holness and wife, Juliet; Tourism and Entertainment Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill and wife, Sheila; former Governor General Sir Kenneth and Lady Hall, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding and wife, Lorna, Ambassador Burchell Whiteman and wife, Joline; family members and friends.