Armed And Dangerous

Don't worry, there wasn't a terrorist attack in the city centre today, it was just the Army on a recruitment exercise. Although not many people seemed to be stopping to enlist.

Either that, or the soldiers are planning a raid on the chocolate shop, to get some luxury Valentine goodies for their wives and girlfriends.

Never Forget

Today marks the100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War 1. A century ago the world was embroiled in a very bloody war that lasted four years, and cost countless thousands of lives.

New ways of killing were invented, machine guns, tanks and of course the deadly mustard gas.  Aircraft were also turned into warplanes, and the Royal Flying Corps; the forerunner to the Royal Air Force was founded.

There are lots of commemerative events going on all over Nottingham, but I am taken by this diorama that has been created by Lesley Cook from Sneinton. It is currently on display in the window of the tourism office in the Old Market Square.

As the model is quite big, I have had to split it into three sections, and it's always difficult trying to shoot through a window, especially on a sunny day. But it is very impressive work, and hardy surprising that it took him two months to complete.

Secret Mission

It was Armed Forces Day yesterday, and Wollaton Park served as the place to see armoured cars, soldiers and obviously the work of the Armed Forces.

Sadly it wasn't as big as last year's, as Nottingham then played host to the national celebrations, which took place at the Embankment. This year Stirling hosted the national event.

I took a photo of this armoured Land Rover as it was being driven away, but didn't notice that the driver had hidden his face as he drove past. He was either camera shy, or a member of the SAS.

Act Of War

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One and those terible four years of battle with soldiers stuck fighting in trenches around France.

This horror of this time was brought to life tonight with the Nottingham Playhouse Youth Theatre's production of 'All Quiet on the Western Front' at the rather unusual, but very atmospheric old Barton's bus garage in Chilwell, and is part of the NEAT14 festival.

The play is based on the 1929 book of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque and has been adapted by Robin Kingsland. He was actually in the audience to see how the first night went and the audience's reaction to the unfolding tale.

He didn't have to worry at all, as the young cast did an excellent job of portraying people of the same age who had to face death, injury and destruction on a daily basis. To show that these soldiers were still  basically of school age, they carried large T squares and rulers instead of guns.

What makes the story really poignant, is it is told through the eyes of the German side. How they were just ordinary schoolboys like the English 'Tommys', and who had been encouraged to enlist and fight for their fatherland, but they didn't really know what they were fighting for.

The final scene is quite profound, and there was an almost stunned silence when the lights finally went out, and before the applause started.

The play runs until Sunday and is well worth seeing. But if you do, take your own cushion, as the old wooden seats available are very hard.

And The Band Played On

Another shot from Monday's parade. This time some of the musicians from the regiment.

It was really sunny in the Old Market Square, and it really makes the trombones shine.

And if you make the photo larger, you can see the reflections of some of the crowd watching the action and the building in the sceptre that the bandleader is holding.

Privates On Parade

Around 200 soldiers who have been fighting in Afghanistan were given the freedom of the city today, during a parade in the Old Market Square.

They were from the Royal Horse Artillery E Battery, and many of them were there to also receive a medal for 6 months active service in Afghanistan.

Lots of people were there, and fortunately the sun came out so it was a lovely day for everyone who was there.

Remembering

As most people know today is Remembrance Sunday. The day in the year that the country honours its dead for defending the freedoms that we all enjoy today.

On 'Poppy Day' as it's usually known, practically every city, town and village people gather at war memorials and fall silent at 11am, the time of day that hostilities ceased in 1918; World War 1.

As it was a lovely morning, I thought I would go and pay my respects and take some photos too. There were a lot of people there waiting to do the same.

There was a march past of present forces' personnel, local Scout and Brownie groups and of course veterans from the Royal Legion.

Everyone fell silent at the allotted time. Then local dignitaries laid wreathes of poppies around the war memorial. Then most people went to the local church to attend a service of thanksgiving for the sacrifice that people had made during the many conflicts that the world has seen during the last 100 years, and is still going on today.

I then had a look at the wreathes and where they had come from. I thought this one was colourful and poignant.  Dead at 22. Alec probably hadn't seen much life outside his home town until he enlisted and worked his way up to being a pilot. I wonder what planes he flew? Spitfires, Lancaster's Hurricanes. Whatever he did fly, his life was snubbed out far too soon by the enemy.

And what about 22 year olds now, I wonder if they have ever compared their life to that of someone of their own age, who died nearly 70 years ago. No X Box, mobile phone or DVDs for Alec. Just the knowledge that what he was doing was right, even though it cost him his life.

Those Boys Of Company D

I've been busy at home today, moving furniture and sorting stuff out etc, so not had the opportunity of shooting anything.

So here's a fortuitous photo which I took at the Armed Forces Day, on Saturday. We were wandering around after most of the public had left and everyone was starting to pack up and head off.

Whilst we were taking some photos of a vehicle, I saw all these soldiers posing for photos that were being taken on mobile phones, for their wives and girlfriends. So naturally I had to take a few, so that everyone could be in the shot.

I handed my business card to one of them and said that if he sent me his email address, then I would send him a copy. Alas to date, he's not replied, which is a shame, as I'm sure he, and the others would like it.

What's especially good is the fact that the Mercian Regiment, is the one from the Midlands region. In fact it is made up of several regiments that were merged a few years ago; one of which was the Sherwood Foresters, from Nottingham. In fact my late uncle served in that regiment during the early 1900's.

If anyone reading this blog post knows any of the soldiers, or the regiment, then please do tell them, and I'll happily email them a copy.

Big Boys' Toys

Armed Forces Day today and so Gail and I popped down this afternoon to see what excitement there was to be found. And there was plenty. Although we had missed quite a bit, as it had started at 10am in the Old Market Square with a march from the castle and a flypast by the Red Arrows.

I was in Beeston this morning, covering the first Great Beeston Bake-Off.  A cookery competition to raise funds for Oxfam when the planes flew over the school where it was taking place. I was photographing the opening ceremony with my camera in 'P' mode, so unfortunately I couldn't take a photo, as my camera was struggling to focus. It would have been OK in auto, and might have got a couple of good shots. Sadly it wasn't to be.

There were loads of people around. It has been estimated that 70,000 visitors had gone down to show their support for the soldiers, sailors and airmen. With that many people wandering around, it was sometimes a bit difficult trying to take reasonable shots of the vehicles on display.

There was some music on offer too, in the form of an Abba Tribute band called Arrival UK, who were very good and the nearest thing to the real Abba you'll find, with their singing, costumes and tunes.

We were still wandering around long after most of the people had left, so we more or less had the site to  ourselves. While we were taking unrestricted photos of the vehicles, I noticed that one by one they were starting to leave the site. So we hung around and snapped them being driven away, or being loaded onto very big low loaders.

Family History

Today is Remembrance Sunday. The one day of the year when everyone remembers the people that gave up their lives in wars to keep our freedoms and peace.

I am lucky in one way, as I am not aware that any of my family died in active service, but sad in another, as I can't personally connect with the loss that others feel at this time of year. Whether it was against the Germans; in Korea, Ireland, the Falklands or the latest conflict in the Middle East.

My dad Douglas, was born with a disability (polio), so he couldn't join up for active service. Instead he spent 39-45 chauffeuring high level military personnel around. I don't think he ever got to drive Winston Churchill. But if he did, he never said.

His dad Albert was in the Royal Navy, but died in 1917. Not from enemy fire, but from a disease. So my dad din't really know him at all as he was born in April 1916. So his mum had several children to bring up on her own. But from all accounts, I don't think she was short of gentlemen friends.


I used to have an uncle on my mums side called Frank that fought with the Sherwood Foresters.  He was born in York in 1898 and died in 1982. He had won some campaign medals, but when he died, my mum decided to send them to his nephew, also called Frank, who lives in Guernsey.

So what picture to put up for today? Many other bloggers are showing the traditional poppy, but I feel something different is called for. Instead I'm showing a photo that I took in June, when the Mercians, marched through the city centre after returning from Afghanistan.

My uncle would have been proud, as the Mercian regiment are what the Sherwood Foresters used to be, before the recent shake up of the armed forces.

Left Right, Left Right

A large contingent of soldiers from the Mercian Regiment were in the city today. They had just finished a tour of duty in Afghanistan and were returning for some welcome R & R and to see their families and loved ones.

They marched from St Mary's Church in the Lace Market, down to the Old Market Square and then up to the castle. I followed them along nearly the whole of the route, and felt like one of the reporters that were also following the action. One of the photographers that I stood near was holding a Leica M8. I had a touch of camera envy I can tell you.

This shot shows the tail end of the march reaching the gates of the castle. There were several hundred soldiers in all, with just as many waving and cheering them along the route.

Standing Tall For Elizabeth

I came across these two 'soldiers' at the Autokrama in Wollaton Park over the jubilee holiday.

They were larking around, ticking passers by with their extra long feather dusters.

They were happy to pose for me, before finding other victims to annoy, while they were looking at the classic cars!