Remembrance Sunday.

This morning was parade Sunday so both me and Nicola were at our respected Churches. Attendence was down compared to usual Sundays with both Kirstall and Far Headingley just having enough representatives to carry the flags. This is an effect noticed in other parts of the country. I was wearing a poppy to begin with, but this was lost before I entered the Church. Twice.

In the evening the march past at the Cenotaph in London, recognising the faces of Gill, Sentley and Rachel amoungst the Scout colour party, two of whom were 20th World Jamboree Risk Management personnel, and the third who is at uni in Leeds with friends of mine. (The BBC have a page on Scouts being at the Cenotaph.)

I haven't ever looked at attendance before by Remembrance Sunday was usually the only parade where my old Venture Unit had a good attendance. Whether that had anything to do with normal Chruch parades ending in the British Legion for pie afterwards I don't know. Other Scout troops only seem to insist on parading on St George's day (because he's the patron Saint of Scouting- not for any nationalistic reasons) and Remembrance Sunday, with all other parades not even being encouraged.

Why was attendance down today? Was it because of a public distaste for war, an unease at those who send our troops into conflict which has mistekenly spilled over onto the troops themselves? Or was it just because it's November it's cold, and there would be 15 minutes standing around outside after the service?