Golden Gates

Tonight we were invited to the Presentation Ceremony of The Queen's Award for International Trade and also for Innovation of the company my husband used to work for before moving to Belgium.

The award was presented by H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester and was followed by a champagne & Canape reception.

As this was in Warrington, the town we used to live, we took the opportunity to visit my parents-in-law this afternoon, and after the presentation met with my very good friend at my favourite Indian restaurant. It was a great distraction after the last couple of weeks!

These Golden Gates have stood in front of Warrington town hall for over a century, and are regarded as the best in England.

They were originally a gift to Queen Victoria to be installed at Sandringham, but when she first saw them, they stood in front of a statue of Oliver Cromwell. She refused the gift and they were displayed at an International Exhibition in London from 1862 until 1895, when they were formally opened in Warrington on June 28th 1895.

They are really impressive and I took a few photos to try and get the town hall in the centre, which was quite difficult as it meant me standing in the middle of the road!

Coincidentally, 'The Cottage' Indian restaurant is one of Warrington's oldest buildings, made famous by Oliver Cromwell staying there in 1648.