Remembrance

As October goes on and November approaches, all talk and a lot of time in our house goes on the Poppy Appeal.

It's very important to us not to forget the sacrifices made by members of our Armed Forces in times of war and dangerous duties overseas and also to preserve the memories of conflicts past now that those who fought in them are few (and dwindling) in number.

Mum and I were out selling poppies right from the 20something of October and our duties didn't end til Sunday just gone. For me - designing and editing the programme for the Festival of Remembrance at the White Rock Theatre - work had begun much further back in the summer and I saw the programmes (600 of them plus inserts) right through to completion. I was onhand at the Festival (14t Nov) to sell the programmes and poppies and to help Mum and others going up on stage with their bits and pieces.

We always make sure we watch the Festival of Remembrance from the Albert Hall, the morning's events at the Cenotaph and Songs of Praise for Remembrance Sunday on the TV too. All in all, its a busy weekend, having been at work both days but its well worth it. I also get to see some of the serving members of the Armed Forces who are local to this area as they take part in the Festival. I always find it a powerful - and important - thing to remember that they are my age, some of them younger and yet they do a tremendous and courageous job, one that I could never do.

It also reminds me of the links Hastings and East Sussex have to the Armed Forces. Not only are young men & women of our town represented in all 3 Armed Services, but we have links to 47 Reg Royal Artillary (who have freedom of the town) and the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (one of the most senior in the Army) has East Sussex as one of its recruitment counties. It's important for me to remember these guys and girls because of the great work they do and their close connection with my home town/county.

So, as of before the Festival, Hastings and St Leonards had raised over £30,000 for the Poppy Appeal with lots more collecting tins still to be counted etc. So I say "good show" to the people of our town!! I can't wait to hear what the actual grand total is...!

So the Poppy Appeal is over for another year now, but the work of the Legion goes on: 24/7, 365 as does that of HM Forces wherever they are in the world. I look forward to getting my Poppy Press throughout the year and seeing other ways that I can support our troops.

Lest We Forget

Also in November, the wondorous occurance of me getting to go to Southampton occured!! I stayed with the wonder that is Miss Ruth Gill, in her palacial student abode. I got to see the Uni again and the city - we also went to Portsmouth and Winchester (where hilarity ensued over parking) to o some shopping and just spend some quality time together, while Ruth had a week off. Now she's having to get stuck in to the joys of 4th year and the dreaded dissertation :-(
It was a visit that was long overdue and very thoroughly enjoyed indeedy!

Work at Argos (of course) continues to proceed in Christmasy type fashion; we're getting busier, customers are getting stressier - all in the name of celebrating (supposedly) the birth of our Lord. So that brings me up to date with the life and times of yours truly.
I want to dedicate this blog entry to Ben and to Ian, and also to Brian - stay safe guys.