Work commitments meant that I missed the St George’s Day Parade through the Square Mile on Friday. I was disappointed as it was the first such parade for many years. So I made a special effort to get along to the parade on Saturday through my local High Street.
The High Street was closed to traffic and the local tradespeople made an effort to provide outside seating – the BBQ outside the butchers did a brisk trade and all the coffee shops were full. Other stalls offered home made cupcakes and others offered crepes – so no one would go hungry. Someone had managed to get a huge bouncy castle slide and a merry go round tea cup ride and some swinging chairs in place to keep the small ones amused. We all bought St George’s Day flags for 50p to cheer along. The local hospital radio station had a DJ in attendance and elsewhere there were stalls with pop music. The three grandmas doing fruit machines (where they each draw out a real fruit from a box on the bell) were there somewhere too.
Leading the procession was a woman dressed as St George riding a handsome chestnut mare – the kids were delighted – especially as the horse was rather spirited. Just behind her was the Mayor, some other officials and a marching band – possibly from the local RAF club house (we live near Kneller Hall – Home of Military music which is handy). A pearly king, queen and princess had travelled over from the East side of London, and a local jazz group played enthusiastically as they walked and the fire brigade were there in force – walking behind a fire engine that was later available for small people to explore - handing out whistles to the kids. Loud!
Another marching band – this time from the horse rangers (who no doubt contributed the spirited horse who led the proceedings). A local drama troop went by in bright mulit-coloured trousers – on stilts. Whoops of delight and much clapping as some of the stilt walkers were pretty young. Numerous girl and boy scouts troops marched by – one supporting a lovely home made dragon costume with lots of small people hiding below the rather long body and tail. Some happy cheer leaders were just ahead of some of the local rugby teams – always a feature when you live this close to Twickenham. Don’t know who organised it but we had a lovely young May queen in a fairy castle float surrounded by numerous knights and ladies in waiting. Much merriment as the Morris Dancers performed a jolly jig in formation as they followed things along.
The local undertakers provided a rather regal pair of horses drawing a carriage and then we were entertained by some vintage British cars draped in England flags before a team of young folk on Scooters (the mods) drive noisily by. Finally, as usual, somewhat older riders (the rockers) revved the engines of their heavy duty motorbikes – yes, there were some classic British motorbikes in there somewhere but I think it was the local Harley Davidson club that organised this part of the display.
How nice it was to see so many local people out on the High Street supporting local independent tradespeople – and to bump into neighbours and friends as they strolled along in the much welcomed sunshine. There were a fair few charity stalls as well so hopefully they managed to raise some funds for local causes. What a grand way to spend a Saturday.
