10 October 2005

A Civil Partnership Focus Group was held in October this year.  23 people attended this, which was over 95% of all those who had expressed an interest in attending. 

The evening started with a presentation by Alan Hodgson, the Superintendent Registrar, on the formation, background and legalities of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.  This was followed by Dawn Hemingway, a Registrar from Wakefield Register Office, with a talk on “Your Ceremony, Your Choice”, highlighting the fact that ceremonies were not compulsory and outlining the different options available to couples. 

After a short break, Jane Milner, the Senior Registration Officer at Pontefract Register Office, carried out a role-play of a sample ceremony with two members of the group.  Finally there was a question and answer session to provide debate around some of the issues. 

A feedback questionnaire was circulated by post to all those who attended the session. See the link for the results.