A day in South London

                                                            A day in South London

Today of all days was to be an action packed day. I had to get off to work early and before that to vote in the local authority by election. This by-election had cause quite a lot of local acrimony with the Liberal Democrats out in droves. I had been canvassed four times by them myself. In this mood I set off to vote early in this by-election on my way to work.

This hope of voting early and quickly was soon to be dashed as I entered the polling station  only to be told I was at the wrong polling station and that I had to go up the road. I protested as this station had been clearly indicated on the card. The polling official was insistent so I headed off to the other poling station which was about five minutes walk away. Another lady had been told the same and was also complaining about having to get to work

I arrived at the other polling station only to be told that I had to go back to the original polling station. One of the officials was speaking on his mobile  and he said ”I have a gentleman here who is quite irate” Well of course this time I was irate after having been sent on a mini tour of the ward's polling stations. I asked who I could complain to and was given the name of the head of electoral registration to complain to and was told that my original polling station had been given instructions. I was asked where I lived and it appeared the whole block had been the subject of confusion.

This time the polling official apologized profusely and issued me with a ballot paper. Of course this time I was able to vote. Such was that even with the local authority organizing the polling it was  not simple matter. I could not have made this up! I was able to board my bus to work.

After work I just popped in to the supermarket to get a bottle of wine to take to my friend who I was going to see later. This however was nota simple matter as a ferocious argument broke out in the supermarket. On one of the aisles I saw  a lady abusing one of the supermarket staff. In general of course my instinct was to move to the checkout.

Later I saw an employee move to the checkouts saying to the staff  ”You see that lady with the kettles you are not to serve her!”

She then told the woman she would not be served

“That lady has assaulted me

“Why should I do a thing like that?”

“You barged into me with the kettles?”

The employee then said “I am the franchisee and I can say who we serve or not! And we are not serving you!”

The lady then stormed into an ante room and the door then opened to show her talking to the security guard. She was then ejected promptly from the store.

One of them said about the employee

“She has got a temper”

Everybody stood at the checkouts open mouthed at this fight that had been going on>

Well never a dull moment in South London!

Remembrance day London

                                                Remembrance Day London

Once again the yearly rituals are back with us. Poppy day is here again. For a few weeks before the day poppies will be sold mostly by sellers from the Royal British legion as a source of income. Many will buy these poppies as a sign that they remember the sacrifice of the troops who fought in two word wars and in other wars.

In many ways the greatness of the day is that it is mostly not political. People of every background celebrate together. There are no bounds of politics as a nation remembers those who died in the great conflicts. The tone is rather somber. There is no passing out of military bands. Most people just speak of remembrance at this time. The official ceremony takes place at the cenotaph in central London, a great monument to the dead of the world wars

On the day and for a few weeks before poppies are sold everywhere. Sellers lurk outside stores and in the streets while everybody clamours to get one of the red poppies on sale! Most public figures are expected to wear them and some tend to complain occasionally about “Poppy Fascism” and being forced to wear one.. However the general consensus is that it would be mean spirited not to wear one.

The main problem on the horizon is that young people tend to be less aware and so poppy wearing among the younger generation is not so common. In some ways the generation that fought in the second world war is dying off and their descendants are ageing fast. There is still however some commemoration of those killed in the wars of today such as in Afghanistan and Iraq. On the day convoys of bikers can be seen with all the remembrance insignia.

Services of remembrance are held throughout the land. The main message is the sacrifice of the generations and the memory of those who did not come back.

While most poppies are red some white poppies are also made. These tend to be used by pacifist groups. There is also a purple poppy worn by animal welfare organizations. This commemorates the animal victims of the war. These are usually worn alongside the red poppy. The event is fairly unique in that it is almost universally celebrated