Commonwealth Day

Today was Commonwealth Day, an affirmation of the values of that grouping of 54 countries.  I and another photographer were asked to cover the event for the Council and a great pleasure it was as well.

These three youngsters were asked to read the affirmations at very short notice, stepping in this morning as the originals had stayed at home with Covid.  And they were great, reading fluently and confidently, separately then together.  As the Mayor pointed out at the start of the event, the Commonwealth's values have a very poignant meaning in the context of the madman's criminal adventure in Ukraine.  It was a very touching ceremony on a calm, balmy and sunny morning . . .

The Town Crier played a blinder.  He rang his bell, yelled Oh Yea several times (as he does) before unrolling his scroll; he stared at the writing for a moment before muttering, "Wrong one!" and ad-libbing for about a minute.  It was an excellent performance, word-perfect even – Extra.

And before the event, I snapped three ladies conducting their exercises (Tai Chi?) on the lawn in front of the Council building – Extra