Monday, November 11, 2024

Impressionable ears.

 

More proof that elections are decided by  economics rather than  policies. By European standards the Democrats didn't fare badly :https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-332-the-radicalization

A busy Sunday here. There was a Remembrance Service at 11 in the church and a wreath laying at noon by the war memorial. The weather grey but dry. This years ceremony well attended. Lots of young families with children could be seen. Not a demographic you'd expect . The number of attendees seem to have been going up recently. Ukraine marked a big shift in turnout and attracted the students. More recent events have , perhaps, made people think about the nations role in a changing world. The streets solid, twelve abreast, with people following the band. The area in front of the cathedral was packed solid. I'd guess there were a thousand folks there. The average age around 35.


Between the two ceremonies students and towns folk stop off for a cup of coffee


Or, in the case of the local dog owners, something a wee bit sharper to innocculate them against the wind.


The University Principal waits patiently for the pipes to show up. Being University Principal  she attends a lot of civic ceremonies and does a lot of waiting.

The colours have been delayed. There has been  a 'misunderstanding' between a local bus driver  who has somehow arrived on the parade route despite the bellowed commands to stop by a military policemen. The military policeman is quite forceful in his manner. He tells the bus driver where to park. He tells him quite a lot of other things too. Mothers put their hands over impressionable three year olds ears.


The pipes are indeed, as we had been told,  'braw'. Here's an old recording of them :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dNLsybtpxk


A surprisingly large contingent of soldiers follow on behind.

Some folks are fearful that Scotlands culture is disappearing. I'm not sure there's any truth to that.  Civic memory and pride seems to be doing rather well. 

This is probably the most surprising - and most solitary - Remembrance Day link. How does he manage to exist in Kabul ?: https://x.com/PenFarthing/status/1855557482514633206

9 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Well done St Andrews... though I'm not sure that "civic memory and pride" are specifically a Scottish cultural thing. The adaptation of a UK-wide remembrance day to local colour with kilts and pipes would be... now, if the sodgers had been wearing claymores and carried a couple of cabers... But let's not take away from the fact there was a decent turnout. I do think recent world events - and indeed, last week's results across the pond - have caused people to consider those in the armed forces more deeply once more. Thankyou for sharing events of the day with us, Angus. YAM xx

Coppa's girl said...

It would appear to be a most successful morning - both socially and as a Remembrance.Suitably grey weather for a poignant occasion.

Anonymous said...

I feel for the soldier in Kabul, both personally and professionally.

The photo of the Princiisl includes my friend’s son. He is President of the SU this year

Anonymous said...

Sorry about typo

Anonymous said...

Loved the link to Kabul and loved the guys unapologetic defense of what was done for womens education and rights.

jabblog said...

It's good to see that there was a sizeable attendance and a mix of ages.

WFT Nobby said...

Just tragic, the situation for women in Afghanistan. I really don't have the words.

Travel said...

From an international perspective, it is interesting to see unique identity for Scotland.

rottrover said...

What a wonderful turnout.