Christine Munro recognised as Woman of the Year

Alderley Edge resident Christine Munro was amongst 400 inspirational women invited to attend the Women of the Year lunch in London yesterday - described as the most significant gathering of extra-ordinary women in the world.

Now in its 56th year, The Women of the Year Lunch is a key event celebrating and recognising the achievements of outstanding women in society from all walks of life; from politics to business, from healthcare to the shopfloor.

Each year 400 women are hand picked in recognition of their personal contribution to society, from an extensive list of nominees, and every guest is regarded as a 'Woman of the Year'.

Christine Munro told me " I really did have a wonderful time. My host for the day was Doreen Lawrence, Stephen Lawrence's mum, an amazing lady, and sat next to me at our table was Hetty Bower and her daughter. Hetty is 106 and is still campaigning for peace, in fact she was at Trafalgar Square speaking to crowds and then joined the march for peace on 8th October in London.

"I met Shirley Williams, Maureen Lipman, and Lulu just came and put her hand on my shoulder and said you are the jam lady aren't you.

"I arrived at the hotel at the same time as Ruby Wax so we walked up the stairs together and one of the organisers took the photo of us. It was a wonderful day and marvellous experience. Something I will never forget."

Christine Munro is known in the village for organising the Alderley Edge May Fair and the Alderley Edge Farmer's Market which she set up 13 years ago to help the farmers in the area sell their produce.

Christine, 73, has also been raising funds for The Christie for over 40 years and set up her own company, Christine's Preserves, in February 2009 with her son Hugh.

It all started with a mere 17 jars of orange marmalade and now the range stands at over 30 flavours of conserves, marmalades, pickles, relishes, mustards and ketchups. In October 2010 Christine's chilli jam, ginger marmalade and lemon marmalade were awarded gold stars at the 2010 Great Taste Awards and her products are stocked by the National Trust.