Law Banquet blessed with Blessed as keynote speaker

Mr Blessed will talk about his acting career which has spanned five decades as well as his charitable and other interests, including his attempts to conquer Mount Everest. He was born in Mexborough, the son of a coal miner, and left school at 15.

He completed his National Service as a parachutist in the Royal Air Force, before training as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre.

Since the 1960s, he has established himself as one of Britain’s best known and popular actors and has performed in many different roles on stage, TV and film.

The event will help to support the work of two charities: Roundabout, which helps to support vulnerable homeless young people in Sheffield and animal rescue charity RAIN Rescue based in Rotherham.

This year’s event will also commemorate the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and the sacrifice of the members of the local legal community who fought and died in the conflict that followed.

Giles Searby, president of the Sheffield & District Law Society, said: “The Yorkshire Law Banquet is one of the most important events organised by the Sheffield & District Law Society and it’s a terrific honour for us to welcome Brian to speak at this year’s event and I am sure that the evening promises to be an unforgettable event for all attending.

“This year we will also commemorate those members of South Yorkshire’s legal profession that fought during the First World War. A special roll of honour, which was commissioned by the society shortly after the end of the War will be on display in Cutlers Hall.”

Organised by the Sheffield & District Law Society, the event will bring together 350 members of South Yorkshire’s legal profession and representatives from South Yorkshire’s business community, alongside local dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, the Master Cutler, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield and the Honorary Recorder of Sheffield.

The Yorkshire Law Banquet, which has taken place every year since 1876, celebrates the achievements of South Yorkshire’s legal profession and is seen as one of the highlights of the year for society members.

The banquet is one of the largest gatherings of legal professionals in the region, and supported by AmTrust Europe, Bank House Chambers, Barber Harrison & Platt, CRA Legal, Grant Thornton, AON Insurance, Royal Bank of Scotland, Safe-move, St Johns Buildings, PSG Search, Augusta Ventures, Hopkins Allen Procter Chartered Accounts and Thomas Heald Chartered Financial Planners.

Founded in 1875, the society promotes the interests of solicitors in the area.