Yet another St George's Festivity today - and definitely the last - at least for this year. Vanda and I were invited to the Royal Albert Hall, for a St George's Day Gala concert. All the concert pieces - played by the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, were English favourites such as Jerusalem and 'We'll meet again'. The Royal Albert Hall is a beautiful venue and was absolutely packed for the occasion. Everyone was waving St George's Day flags and singing heartily, including Andrew Rosindell, Romford MP, who we were sitting with. Andrew is well known for his love of all things English and is a campaigner for all proud Englishmen and women in the House of Commons. I showed Andrew, our St George's Day Cards, which we have sent to every house in Harlow and he was mightily impressed.
By amazing coincidence, I bumped into a lady from Potter Street, Mrs Betty Smith (see the picture above), on one floor and then, Don and Hilda Gillespie, from Copse Hill on another. Extraordinary. Clearly Harlow residents were out in force to watch the concert - in fact, Mrs Smith told me that she had come with a whole coach full of locals!
We had a nightmare journey to London as the roads were blocked because of the London Marathon (which, being a noodle head, I had completely forgotten about). Yet, with a fair wind, we still got to the Royal Albert Hall, just in time. Thanks to a kind hearted Parking Angel, we managed to put the car exactly outside the entrance we needed to go in.
Anyway, it was a special way to spend our Sunday, and I can say that I could not have had a better St George's week. Starting last Saturday, giving out cards, in Broadwalk, to the Rainbow and Dove on Friday, watching the Essex Yeomanry yesterday, and today at the Royal Albert Hall, it feels good to be an Englishman, born and bred.
By amazing coincidence, I bumped into a lady from Potter Street, Mrs Betty Smith (see the picture above), on one floor and then, Don and Hilda Gillespie, from Copse Hill on another. Extraordinary. Clearly Harlow residents were out in force to watch the concert - in fact, Mrs Smith told me that she had come with a whole coach full of locals!
We had a nightmare journey to London as the roads were blocked because of the London Marathon (which, being a noodle head, I had completely forgotten about). Yet, with a fair wind, we still got to the Royal Albert Hall, just in time. Thanks to a kind hearted Parking Angel, we managed to put the car exactly outside the entrance we needed to go in.
Anyway, it was a special way to spend our Sunday, and I can say that I could not have had a better St George's week. Starting last Saturday, giving out cards, in Broadwalk, to the Rainbow and Dove on Friday, watching the Essex Yeomanry yesterday, and today at the Royal Albert Hall, it feels good to be an Englishman, born and bred.
Goodnight for now.
By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com
