In these difficult times, the City Civic

Almost unaffected by the presence of the tent dwellers outside the Cathedral (pictured below), the annual Festival of Remembrance in St Paul's Churchyard took place on Monday 7 November. The tangible effect of the anti-capitalist protesters (who, it is understood, moved some tents to clear the way for access for those taking part in the ceremony) was that access to the Crypt for the pre-service tea and bacon and sausage butties and receipt of a welcome and marching orders from the President of the Royal British Legion needed to be directed through the north door of the Cathedral. 

Once assembled in the appointed area, a Regimental Sergeant Major from the Scots Guards took on the formidable task of getting the assembled Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff  of the Livery Companies into strict numerical order. It is doubted, as they were, corralled, placed in their positions and told to stay put and be quiet, if they had been treated in quite this way for many years. The RSM got a good natured round of applause on completion of his task and was seen to smirk! He was probably not used to being applauded.

The service followed its usual course, the crosses were planted by Masters etc as well as by representatives of the city civic and a range of other participants. There was no protest from the protesters and you would have been able to hear a pin drop during the two minute silence and the playing of the Last Post.