AT the last event for the 2015 season of the Friends of St Thomas à Becket Church, Huntington, Dame Margaret Anstee, DCMG, gave a stunning talk on her life as the first female under-secretary general of the United Nations.

Although Dame Margaret is suffering from ill health and was in constant need for oxygen throughout her talk, she spoke for one and a quarter hours without a stop. She recounted her life story, as although coming from humble origin and spent many childhood holidays with her grandparents at Titley, Kington she went on to gain a Double First from Cambridge and was one of only two women who were the first to be admitted to the Foreign Office, in 1948.

She told the audience how she had served in 130 different countries, recounting the dangerous and turbulent times of working for four decades of service for the United Nations. She was highly articulate, interesting and most amusing. The audience learned of some of the coups, which she had lived through, with terrifying raids on her house and possessions, as well as her important peacekeeping missions she had been in charge of throughout the world.

The spellbound, capacity audience gave her an enormous ovation. The evening concluded with a large drinks and canapés reception afterwards, where she continued to answer questions and receive the acclaim of the whole party. Jane Moyle, Trustee of the Friends said, "Dame Margaret was an absolute inspiration to young and old alike. To think she spoke for one and a quarter hours - an extra half hour longer than expected, whilst on oxygen, was an amazing feat. It was one of the finest events we have ever had."

A recording of her speech is to be put on the church website shortly, huntingtonchurch.co.uk. It is hoped it will inspire young people to follow in her suit.