The Forces Darling sings 'Lili Marlene'
A few months ago, when my better half and I ventured down to our local, I had planned to write and submit a piece on this fun event either on the same day or the day after. The many people I spoke to, at The Red Lion in Coltishall, were looking forward to seeing their pictures on an article, even if I was, at the time, looking at sending it over to my American friend, Tyler Cook, at The Portly Politico. However, my temperamental camera and just as awkward computer didn’t make the connection and I misplaced the notes I made on that day, not that I made too many; it was the pub, there was beer and entertainment! Then circumstances, grim as they can be, got in the way so I apologise, dear reader.
I’ve just managed to get the time to sit and write it now. I figured it’d be far too late to submit it to Tyler and Tom has graciously allowed me to remind you of the festivities the country engaged in over the D-Day commemorations and celebrations.
In the absence of a TV license (not that it would have mattered – who would want to watch politicians dirtying the memory of the fallen?), we decided to venture down to the Lion and check out their revival. It was a shame the weather had decided to be cumbersome on the day we went. It really couldn’t make up its mind; sunny sometimes, trickles of rain, fricking cold. Not pleasant and the patronage reflected that. There was about 15-20 people there when we arrived and though the crowd did grow, it wouldn’t have been enough to convince Sarah, the landlady at the Lion, of a successful turnout. Still, she seemed in good spirits and even dressed for the occasion.
The guy in the above picture, sitting on the table behind Sarah, was wearing a genuine World War 2 helmet that belonged to his grandfather. I tell you, those things have got some weight on them.
There were quite a few people there in fancy dress. Tina and I weren’t the only exceptions – it wasn’t planned that we’d go so we had nothing to put on at short notice – but the majority, thank the good Lord, had decided either to pay homage to our war heroes or at least, dress up for the occasion. Like this fellow who, bizarrely, has always had this suit. He didn’t feel slighted or offended when I asked him if he’d got it at the fancy dress store; I guess I wasn’t the first person to make that enquiry.
There were men dressed as soldiers, women as land girls; these patriotic guys and gals really made an effort to look the part.
Aside from the sunglasses, of course, but who minded, really?
And then there was the entertainment. Maybe Sarah had planned to have more games outside and the weather put paid to it but she did put out a coconut shy, something I haven’t seen for years.
They had a raffle, which we bought tickets for but have no idea if we won anything (we went in the early afternoon and left before 4), so well done to the people who either won prizes or who collected ours!
There was also an excellent jazz and swing singer, Sarah Mai, who entertained us with music from the era. At the time, I described her as a female Michael Buble – a voice of pure silk, she was absolutely brilliant and like many others, she also dressed for the occasion.
Since we don’t own a smartphone or any other recording device, we couldn’t record her performances, but I did find a few of her live gigs, filmed at other 40s style events, on Youtube. Here’s one, just to give you a flavour.
They had further entertainment going into the evening but I couldn’t tell you what since we left well before then. We hoped, though, that the numbers grew and that everyone who attended had a thoroughly decent time.
Sarah did an excellent job under trying circumstances. It was still a lot better than watching warmongering politicians trying their level best to look reverent at the graves of our brave men and women past. The Lion event was entertaining but respectful and not a peep could be heard when The Last Post was played. It was a day, a weekend, mind, for patriots to come together, to commemorate those who came before us, and to celebrate what it means to be British. In this case, meet new people and drink copious amounts of alcohol!
Vera Lynn sings 'When they sound the last all clear."
*FSB is running a poppy day appeal, with all donations made to FSB between now and 11 November given to the ex-forces charity coming top in the poll below.