Totally Different

Two duties in 24 hours, and about as different as they come.

Saturday night was Northern Town’s big fireworks display. Managing half the field, and nothing happened – which is great because I was just able to watch the spectacle. Which is was, matching the music and colourful and full of bangs and what you expect and enjoy. The bonfire was a bit weird though – the theme being love. In the heart in the middle of the castle were two heads kissing. Or so they were meant to be, they were more banging heads.

This morning was, of course, Remembrance Sunday. I’ve said before that I didn’t join SJA to march – but I was honoured to be asked to lay the wreath on behalf on the adults this year. Full refinery was worn including cap and (someone else’s) jacket, and I was proud to lead two Cadets who were presenting the wreath on behalf of the Cadet division.

Things didn’t go completely smoothly – everywhere conducts Remembrance Services slightly differently (if St John process throughout, just lay the wreath, who marches when, orders etc etc), and this was my first time in Northern Town – so there was an element of suck-it-and-see. Not helped when my Divisional Superintendant decided she wasn’t feeling too good, so had to fall out leaving me and the two Cadets on our own with no expectation of what was going to happen. But, it went as well as could have been expected, and I hope that we put on a smart performance (I’m not normally one for the whole Red Cross / St John battle ground, but the wreath layer for the BRC was in her jumpsuit and Hi-Vis jacket. Sorry, that’s just not appropriate, and didn’t befit the occasion at all) and represented the Brigade well.

I understand the medical staff were busy with collapses and the like, and whilst I love being hands on I wouldn’t have swapped positions with any of them for the world. The least I can do to show my respect is stand on parade in the cold.

Lest we forget.