owen, please explain 'last official D-Day' anniversary for me? next year is the...65 anniversary... how is that the last one? Or have i got lost somewhere...
Sorry, that was rushed before I went to town to the Cenotaph . They said it would be the last "Official" Anniversary that the NVA would organise, to be honest I thought that was back in 2004.
The NVA are disbanding although I thought they already had. They're getting too few & too old now. Sapper will be able to tell you more.
In case anyone missed it, this year's Festival of Remembrance on iPlayer: BBC iPlayer - Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance: 2009
Adam Your BBCi link reminded me that I hadn't watched the program so I watched it this morning. I confess to a litle bit of fast forwarding, but am I correct in thinking that there was no poppy falling from the ceiling finale ? If I am correct, when did they stop this part of the ceremony ? Cheers Ron
The Royal British Legion Festival of Rememberance, is not a political vehicle. The last number of years the theme of remembereance has been changing more towards Modern day casualties, and with the 90th Anniversary passing last year this year there was a bigger switch. The RBL has had to modernise itself to save itself from being alienated by the generations of today, and now has to balance itself between the past and the present. As ever I thought it a fantastic service, and I am not ashamed to say I shed more than a few tears when the young relatives of those killed recently marched slowly into the hall to the tune of you'll never walk alone.
Adam Your BBCi link reminded me that I hadn't watched the program so I watched it this this morning. I confess to a litle bit of fast forwarding, but am I correct in thinking that there was no poppy falling from the ceiling finale ? If I am correct, when did they stop this part of the ceremony ? Cheers Ron Ron, the poppy falling took started during the 2 min silence. although the coverage wasnt as much as it has been previously and it seemed to be on a smaller area of the hall.
Just had a thought... Tomorrow morning will be different, of course - but weren't the Gurkhas usually represented at the Festival of Remembrance??? Phylo, you may want to watch the sevice again on iPlayer, as the Gurkha's were there P Just realised Phylo's post was from 2008 doh.... But they were there again this year.....
Phil Ron, the poppy falling took started during the 2 min silence. although the coverage wasnt as much as it has been previously and it seemed to be on a smaller area of the hall. You, of course, are quite correct, I must have been distracted at that point. I went back to the replay and saw the poppies fall. Thanks for that. Ron
Istopped wathing the entertainment a few years ago..im with harry patchs views on that. Ido though like the vets at cenotaph .
There was a suttle political broadcast in one of the squaddies, reading from an auto que, interview last night. But as always the ceromony was very fitting.
I shall be there tonight. Also on TV Festival of Remembrance is broadcast by the BBC - BBC1 Saturday 9.15pm - 10.50pm and BBC Radio 2 Saturday 8pm - 9pm. http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/news-events/calendar-of-events/general/festival-of-remembrance-2013
It was fantastic as usual. I watch it every year but last year was the first which I actually attended. Always so humbling to watch on television anyway, but to actually be there was amazing. I hope to be able to go again some time, but as chairman of a branch of the RBLWS I really wish there were enough tickets every year so that all my members could attend, it truly is a fantastic evening.
South I agree first time I have attended in person. I was lucky enough to get drawn by the RBL well organised .
Am I the only one thinking that last nights Festival seemed to be turning into an entertainment event (Alfie Boe, Katie Melua etc) and has lost much of its atmosphere. The armed forces seemed to be a bit on the thin side as well (mind you, with all the cuts there's probably not many left to attend.
