Commissioner’s office hails Soroptimist International member, Comber poet

Eddie Lynch, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland (COPNI) has congratulated Soroptimist International member Pauline Diplock (90) after her poem was chosen as part of COPNI’s Christmas Card competition.

Pauline was one of many people who responded to the call for older poets across Northern Ireland to submit a verse for COPNI’s annual Christmas card which was distributed to hundreds of people across Northern Ireland. Many excellent poems were submitted and the decision to choose just one was difficult.

Eddie Lynch, The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland said: “Older people make many vibrant, positive contributions to all aspects of society including the arts and poetry. This is why it’s so important to celebrate the work of local, older poets.

“Previously, I ran a competition for older artists to design a cover for my Christmas Card, but having been out to many older people’s groups and seeing the range of diverse talents that members had, I decided to extend the competition to include poetry as well. I would like to thank all those who took the time to send in a poem, and congratulate Pauline Diplock on the beautiful verse which was chosen to be turned into my Christmas card.

ENDS///

16/04/2017

For further information, contact Rebecca Kelly, Communications and Engagement Assistant, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland.

Tel: 02890 890897

Email: rebecca.kelly@copni.org

Web: www.copni.org

Notes to editor

  1. The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland was established in 2011 and is a non-departmental public body. Both the Commissioner and the office are sponsored by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister but are operationally independent. The Commissioner’s principal aim is to safeguard and promote the interests of older people, which is defined by legislation as including those aged 60 and over, and in exceptional circumstances, those aged 50 or over. The Commissioner has promotional, advisory, educational and general investigatory duties and powers.