Lady Gretton receives honorary degree from University of Leicester

Lady Jennifer Ann Gretton JP, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire and active supporter of many local charities, is this week receiving an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Leicester.

As Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Gretton is the official representative of Her Majesty The Queen for the County and City of Leicester, and was appointed on 1 February 2003.

A Dame of the Order of St John, in 1994 she was appointed President of the Rural Community Council (Leicestershire and Rutland) and in 1999 President of LOROS (the Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering). She has been a Member of the Committee of Somerby Parochial Church Council since 1991, Church Warden of All Saints Church Somerby 1992-1995, and has been a member of the Leicester Cathedral Council since 2003.

She is Patron of six Parishes in Leicestershire and Staffordshire, and is patron or president of a wide range of local charities and organisations.

She is interested in all aspects of steam, and restored the Stapleford Miniature Railway with the help of volunteers, and instigated the Stapleford Steam Rally in 1996.

Other honorands this week include Bill Bryson, the author and Chancellor of Durham University;
Lord Janner of Braunstone, QC, former MP for Leicester North-West, 1970-74, and Leicester West until 1997; and Philip Hammersley, former Chairman of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

At the same series of events Distinguished Honorary Fellowships are being awarded to author Sue Townsend and long-standing supporter of the University, Mrs Jean Humphreys.

Lady Gretton said: "I am very fortunate that in my role as Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire I have many opportunities, not only to meet the business communities of our City and County, but also the people working for the voluntary sectors. One is incredibly fortunate to be part of so many exciting and humbling occasions."

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