Yesterday it was 100 years since the start of the first world war. This was supposed to be the war to end all wars.
Over that time what have we learned?
I would have to say...'Not a lot'.
We still seem to place very little value on the sanctity of human life......the current strife in the middle east confirms this.
When I think about the sacrifices that were made on our behalf, so that we could enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today, it makes me incredibly sad.
I decided yesterday morning that I was going to go down to the 'Lights Out' commemoration at the Memorial in Church St.
Himself said I was mad. It didn't start until 10 pm. That is normally the time that I am readying myself for bed.......and there are very few times I am out and about on the street at that time.
I walked up to the bus stop just after 20.15.
I got to the traffic lights to see the bus sailing off towards Accrington.
Never mind, I thought...there will be another one along in maybe half an hour. Dream on girl. The buses at night are every hour...so the next one would have been 21.21.
I set off to walk it.
I got to Oakleigh and wondered if I was doing the right thing. Then I thought of those young lads all those years ago . In the trenches. Up to their neck in muck an bullets......so I peeled on.
I was in town for 21.05.
I made my way up to the memorial. Already there were a handful of folk with their candles ready to be lit.
The ITN news van was parked on Church St.
The cameraman was setting up shots and measuring angles...the kind of things that those in the know...(the professionals) do to make sure they get the very best pictures.
I had taken two cameras out with me.
I had looked at the settings before leaving home.
I am never very sure of getting good low light pictures with my limited knowledge.
I took about 4 pics with the Lumix FZ72...then I got a battery warning. No problem I had put a spare battery in my bumbag. I changed the exhausted battery for the spare......blow me down! That one had not been charged and it was as dead as a dodo.
So I had to rely on the little Fuji EXR 600....which I had also set on low light settings.
I took a number of pictures to try and get the flavour of the evening......then the Pipe Band made an appearance. They played lots of haunting melodies which harked back to the songs that perhaps the soldiers would have sung.
I asked a little boy who was there with his father, if he would light my candle....he did.
I told him his light was special....and it would give my candle a special light too...his dad smiled. He could obviously see he was talking to a BOB(batty old bird).
A candle loses nothing, by lighting another candle.
By this time the crowds were building up and I was feeling just a bit emotional.......I made my way to the back of the crowd.....I wanted some space for my own private thoughts.
Before long the event was drawing to a close.
I left before it actually finished.
I wanted to get back home.....this would mean getting a taxi before all the others who were there.
I was going to walk it, but my daughter(and himself)counselled me against this.
They said 'you don't know who is out and about at that time of night'...and they are right....I don't, but I believe there are more good people than bad.
In truth I was tired, wanting a drink and my bed ....so a taxi it was.
I was home by just after 23.00.
There are pics on the Today in Pictures thread....but I will add a couple onto here so that the flavour is there for those who want it.
I am glad I made the effort and participated in this event. It was touching and poignant.
Over that time what have we learned?
I would have to say...'Not a lot'.
We still seem to place very little value on the sanctity of human life......the current strife in the middle east confirms this.
When I think about the sacrifices that were made on our behalf, so that we could enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today, it makes me incredibly sad.
I decided yesterday morning that I was going to go down to the 'Lights Out' commemoration at the Memorial in Church St.
Himself said I was mad. It didn't start until 10 pm. That is normally the time that I am readying myself for bed.......and there are very few times I am out and about on the street at that time.
I walked up to the bus stop just after 20.15.
I got to the traffic lights to see the bus sailing off towards Accrington.
Never mind, I thought...there will be another one along in maybe half an hour. Dream on girl. The buses at night are every hour...so the next one would have been 21.21.
I set off to walk it.
I got to Oakleigh and wondered if I was doing the right thing. Then I thought of those young lads all those years ago . In the trenches. Up to their neck in muck an bullets......so I peeled on.
I was in town for 21.05.
I made my way up to the memorial. Already there were a handful of folk with their candles ready to be lit.
The ITN news van was parked on Church St.
The cameraman was setting up shots and measuring angles...the kind of things that those in the know...(the professionals) do to make sure they get the very best pictures.
I had taken two cameras out with me.
I had looked at the settings before leaving home.
I am never very sure of getting good low light pictures with my limited knowledge.
I took about 4 pics with the Lumix FZ72...then I got a battery warning. No problem I had put a spare battery in my bumbag. I changed the exhausted battery for the spare......blow me down! That one had not been charged and it was as dead as a dodo.
So I had to rely on the little Fuji EXR 600....which I had also set on low light settings.
I took a number of pictures to try and get the flavour of the evening......then the Pipe Band made an appearance. They played lots of haunting melodies which harked back to the songs that perhaps the soldiers would have sung.
I asked a little boy who was there with his father, if he would light my candle....he did.
I told him his light was special....and it would give my candle a special light too...his dad smiled. He could obviously see he was talking to a BOB(batty old bird).
A candle loses nothing, by lighting another candle.
By this time the crowds were building up and I was feeling just a bit emotional.......I made my way to the back of the crowd.....I wanted some space for my own private thoughts.
Before long the event was drawing to a close.
I left before it actually finished.
I wanted to get back home.....this would mean getting a taxi before all the others who were there.
I was going to walk it, but my daughter(and himself)counselled me against this.
They said 'you don't know who is out and about at that time of night'...and they are right....I don't, but I believe there are more good people than bad.
In truth I was tired, wanting a drink and my bed ....so a taxi it was.
I was home by just after 23.00.
There are pics on the Today in Pictures thread....but I will add a couple onto here so that the flavour is there for those who want it.
I am glad I made the effort and participated in this event. It was touching and poignant.
