Courtyard Soldier

Today's image is of a bronze statue of a soldier, in the courtyard of Maidstone museum, wearing a uniform from the conflict in Malaya where the 1st Battalion The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment was deployed in March 1951. Links between the regiment and the town date back as far as 1794. The statue was erected in the memory of those in the Regiment who lost their lives in the service of their country in operational theatres between 1946 and 1966.

I actually had a busy day today. An early morning run with my brother and then a meet up with Ann G, a mate and one of my old colleagues who is part of The Village People/Maltesers - a group of us who used to work together and became firm friends. The names of the group do not come from the disco group of the 70's and 80's or the small round honeycomb chocolates but from the establishments we frequent/frequented - The Village Hotel and The Malta Inn - both just outside Maidstone - and we are not a GI, a construction worker, a cowboy, an Indian chief or a cop, as the former name would appear to suggest, but just used to be employed at the same insurance company!
We used to meet up on the first Friday of every month but have been unable to do so for over a year due to the pandemic. I've really missed seeing everyone but it was so good to catch up with Ann G and hopefully we will be able to get back together soon.
I then had lunch in Maidstone with my brother at Wildwood, one of our favourite restaurants in the town. The staff are always lovely and remember us even if we haven't been in for ages. Today's image was taken on a post lunch stroll back to the car.