| TRAFALGAR
CELEBRATIONS 22nd October 2005 The Great Admiral would
have found himself quite at home - wind howling in the rigging, rain lashing down,
brave souls setting out to an uncertain future guided only by a distant light
and a hope of salvation - and all this was only on Nore Hill on Trafalgar Day!
The conditions were appalling and I suppose only English stupidity brought forth
a noble band of helpers to assist visitors both into and out of the fields that
bore more resemblance to Flanders than Cape Trafalgar! Out of all of this, though,
there were some great fireworks and our beacon - part of the National chain initiated
by The Queen at Portsmouth - certainly did not let us down. Thank God for English
perseverance and Rodney Fuller's rescuing tractor!
The following day we all set sail for The Village Hall including the good ship
Woldingham, or was it the Victory, that amazingly survived the previous night's
exposure and hove to in the Hall carpark. If the Beacon had been a damp squib
then the Celebratory Banquet proved a riot of fun, food and festivities and was
up there with the best of Village events. Great atmosphere, a Hall transformed
by clever décor, tables stretching the length of the room dressed with
flickering candelabra, portraits lining the walls and guests in period and naval
attire were a feast to the eye. Master of Ceremonies brought us to order ready
for Grace. What followed was a feast to the stomach, a four course meal of traditional
fayre followed by decanters of port (and the ladies didn't have to leave the room!)
Two beauties, one with flute and our own Britannia sang and played, accompanied
by our pianist. In true sailor/seafarer style our band of jolly jack tars entertained
us with their unique version of sea shanties and hornpipe dance, all topped off
by our Member at Westminster's noble efforts to keep musical order and entertain
us with his own Trafalgar ode.
More solemn contemplation
marked the final event in our trilogy, the Commemoration Service at St Paul's.
Here Charles Bradshaw set aside his 18th Century clerical garb of the previous
evening but again reminded us that Nelson was the son of a Norfolk parson and
was a man of humble origins. His thoughtful sermon put much of our celebrations
into context but a final light touch was ensured when David Ridout, who had fought
manfully against the tide to maintain musical quality the night before, sent the
Choir and Clergy out on the closing procession to The Sailors Horn Pipe - damn
near dropped me candle, I did!!
Our congratulations
go to the many who worked so hard for our enjoyment and to our Parish Council
whose sponsorship and co-ordination brought Clr Colin Packinton's initial ideas
to final success.
……… And if
you missed these great village events , don't worry , its only nine years and
seven months until the bi-centennial re-enactment of The Battle of Waterloo at
Warren Barn - now, that really should be something!!
Share
some memorable moments below! | 
