I have such clear memories of being taught in Sunday School about the two two-letter cities - Ur and Ai.

What was the black cosy made of? I also have clear memories of a roundabout near the pier in Brighton being transformed into a crown for the Coronation with what I disgustedly described at the time as "burnt tissue paper".

As regards War memorials - in Sandridge they are pretty safe from that as the memorial is a lychgate with names on the front walls - interesting ly the names of those who came back are painted on the inside of the roof. We also have memorials to ex-choirboys -including at least one pair of brothers- on the back of the old choirstalls.
And have you ever seen the street memorials in the Abbey parish in St. Albans. Each street has its own wallmounted memorial - again often featuring mebers of the same family.

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The fabric looked like felt, but I was too nauseous to get close enough to study it in detail...

The lychgate idea is lovely - and so is the listing of those who came back. I haven't been to St Albans for years: I must take a look the next time our Mother's Union goes there (I've only recently joined.) Actually, the head of the MU, Reg Bailey, is a member of our church: if you ever get a chance to hear him speak, do. He's funny, and a huge Simpson's fan: he tends to bring them in to a lot of his talks.

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O, and our vicar is MU chaplain for the district or the diocese or something, though we don't have a branch ourselves. We have a Guild, which makes strenuous efforts to be unisex!
I'll look out for Reg Bailey - though I have to confess to never having watched an actual episode of the Simpsons.

But do come over to St.Albans for something - like our Flower Festival, or the Nativity play with live animals outside the Abbey, or any number of things. Only try and park before you reach the centre!

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Purple and black Diana-cosy? Ick.

In Kenilworth we have a Victorian clock tower, all that was left after the only two bombs to hit town landed in that part of town (Coventry's only four miles away, and that's where the real action was.) The clock tower stands on a little island next to a roundabout. Said island was carpeted in rotting vehetation, with added naff soft toys sprinkled liberally around. And then they squabbled about how to dispose of the mess respectfully. I was not impressed.

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Oh, all those flowers rotting in the hot sun! Why? Why??

Dianolatry is still alive and well in Hoddesdon. No, that's a bit cruel: my friend's husband, whose birthday falls at this time, was apparently in tears when watching the tv service this year. I don't understand it myself.

As for Diana's brother's speech from the pulpit about 'her blood family' taking care of The Boys - it's straight out of the Middle Ages. Lords Protectors for under-age kings and all that. And nobody saw the irony!

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Charles Spencer's speech was particularly ironic considering how he behaved towards his own wife and offspring. I gather the Wales boys have chosen to have little to do with him in recent years.

Just been watching The Queen on ITV with my sixteen-year-old, who has only vague memories of the time. She was gobsmacked by the archive footage in particular. Those rotting flowers were so ghastly, weren't they?

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My vote would have been for a flamethrower.

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You always did go for the subtle approach sweetie.

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Well, I originally considered using a fleet of radio-controlled model helicopters, playing "The Ride Of The Valkyries" while spraying massive quantities of Agent Orange......

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It's been done.

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Well, my original original plan was to spray it on the crowds rather than the flowers.....

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The disconsolate mourners in Hyde Park? Sort of Emotional Darwinism in action? Hmm...

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A War Memorial in a little black dress. How tasteful.

At least they didn't add her name to it permanently.

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That explains it! The local council was Chaneling Coco!

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Ouch!

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Oh Dior me.....

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Put me in the appalled camp.

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Please excuse me whilst I vomit everywhere. :/

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