Gourock designer's necklace gifted to Dame Judi Dench

Lucy McLennan was delighted to hear that her necklaces had been gifted to Dame Judi Dench during a recent appearance at an event in Edinburgh.

The James Bond star was being interviewed in a show hosted by Gyles Brandreth at the city’s Playhouse last month.

Polly Beck, a frequent customer of Lucy’s, snapped up a ticket for the event.

Dame Judi Dench was being interviewed in Edinburgh by Giles Brandreth (Image: Polly Beck)

She then wrote to Dame Judi, who has ‘always been a source of inspiration’ to her, and managed to meet with her to pass on the present.

While studying for her A-Level in theatre studies 40 years ago, Polly landed an interview with the actor, who was starring in the play 'A Pack Of Lies' in London at the time.

Polly said she will always be grateful for Dame Judi's ‘generosity, tremendous energy, wisdom, fun and sense of humanity’.

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A post shared by Lucy McLennan (@designsbylucyjewellery)

Shortly before the Edinburgh show, her son Reuben was accepted onto the acting course at London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama – where Judi herself studied - after auditioning in a studio named after the Oscar-winner.

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Polly added: “This was like a reunion if you like, which is why the necklace was bought.”

Lucy has been desigining handmade silver and gold jewellery since 2001, and originally worked out of her bedroom at her parents’ house.

Lucy McLennan (Image: Lucy McLennan)

She started selling to various gift shops and galleries, including Original Artists on Kempock Street – where her work is still sold.

Lucy told the Tele: “I have a lot of loyal customers who still shop with me, including Polly who bought the necklace for Judi Dench.

“I was over the moon that she was gifted a piece of my jewellery and it was so special to see her wearing it.”