Speech therapy at City Lit was recently awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of its excellent work in adult stammering therapy. The presentation ceremony was at Buckingham Palace on 14 February. We were accompanied by the City Lit's Principal Peter Davies and Chair of Governors, Carole Stott, and were really pleased to invite five students to share in the celebration, thereby acknowledging their important contribution to our work. After the presentation in the ballroom, we congregated in the picture gallery where we met both The Queen and Prince Philip. The Queen showed great interest and referred to the fact that her father King George VI stammered. She asked about the causes of stammering, wondering whether it might have related to his being left-handed and being made to use his right hand. City Lit student Blanche Keaveney said afterwards, 'It's hard to imagine that I've come from a place where I was full of shame and never told anyone about stammering to a place where "I'm talking to the Queen about it" - amazing!' For Jamal Muse it was 'a remarkable experience - one of the best days of my life'. All in all, it was a very special day and we would like to thank everybody who has supported us over the years. Carolyn Cheasman, Jan Logan and Rachel Everard - Speech therapy team, City Lit www.citylit.ac.uk/stammeringtherapy From the Spring 2008 issue of 'Speaking Out', page 5 See also: our City Lit page.

Royal recognition for City Lit. From left: Rachel Everard, Carolyn Cheasman and Jan Logan, at Buckingham Palace to receive the Queen's Anniversary Prize. Photo: Paul Mellor Photography From left, students Paul Harris, Simon Boughey (talking to The Queen) and Lola Balogun, speech therapist Carolyn Cheasman, and Principal Peter Davies. Photo: Paul Mellor Photography