Carry on Tucking

And the Clouds Opened with...

What to do?

"And be careful of the water fountain there - don't play in it." The wisdom of our omniscient coordinator as Tuesday's forecast looked more likely than before that fun and frolics (in what turned out to be a very distant feature in relation to where we were situated) in the near water feature were to be considerably downgraded from its 'potential risk' level as the entire town became submerged anyway. The idea of a vintage tuck shop indeed seemed very attractive when discussions and organizing were fianlly underway - fancy costumes, possibility of free sweeties and the glorious May weather that would remain a constant as the peak of the summer months approached. It's a good thing when the actual day came that sheer determination substituted our previously discredited optimism. As now with the growing excitement of Dorset Young Remember's exhibition in hardly more than a month's time (*cough* July 14tth), a little bit more of public excitement seemed in order for that day and what better way than to draw in potential visitors than to tempt their sweet tooth. However, as the old saying of mice and men seem to go, the plans decided to go a bit awry.

Time for Dancing!

Of course, this did not disturb what was to be a very enjoyable and 'jubilant' afternoon. Another Health & Safety proposition of wearing protective sun lotion was dispensed with and, thanks to good old low pressure, 'stranger danger' was very much fended off as the Dorchester Borough Gardens bandstand became the central shelter for those brave (or foolish) visitors who felt that watching the final day of the Jubilee was not quite enough. Setting up the stall was a task in itself as fellow group members and volunteers became willing sponges in light of the dismal prospects and an open tent that seemed woefully inadequate in light of the shifting rainfall, courtesy of breezy gusts of the cold air. As much of the group rightfully queried, "Who would want to buy sweets in this?!" Well, as £21.00 later that afternoon turned out, a surprising number. With many of those volunteers mobile, which in some cases the costumes they had chosen turned out to be more than inappropriate for the circumstances, the crowd that had gathered were reasonably receptive. Feeling sorry for the poor music act hired for the event (lest of all the organisers who may have had to put up with their possible complaints) we had bravely stepped out onto the green and shuffled our way, gold boots, macs and all, to songs from the Queen's decades. 

Ready to serve.

With meetings with the local Mayor and a shout-out from the female singer to our slightly distinctive group, others including a merry woman dancing with wine bottle in hand, the day had evolved better than expected and almost catching a cold by the end of it all. Returning to our base, the group evaluated how one thing that could have been improved was (drum roll!) the weather. But, what better way to celebrate the reigning Queen's era as with her coronation years ago, in the exact same weather, whilst attracting some new people to our project along the way. Sick of sweets, we all needed something a bit warmer to fill us after.


And a Small Note...
"Our output has been impressive not only in its scale, but in its ambition, quality and outstanding journalism." Yes - well done BBC for the sycophantic, 'impartial' coverage of this national event for four days running. After all, who needs the massacres in Syria to make interesting news? Just stuff the banal Fearne Cotton (who needs a Royal Correspondent from the boring news programmes when you can have a star-studded cast?) with distinguished military servicemen and Anneka Rice, giving her divine insights into the world of Victorian Art, with poor artists forced to get their precious works ruined outside. I felt so much better seeing those gaping faces of those presenters, never bored once of just how 'amazing' everything was. After all, the Royal Charter does state the BBC's position is to inform as well as educate. But then, what's Radio Four there for? 'Welcome to the House of Fun' say BBC One.*


*Impartiality standards meet those of the BBC. Please, if you want to learn something worthwhile about the monarchy, books are absolutely more valuable. David Starkey's (if his personality is not so appealing) great Crown and Country is much more worthwhile.