A few photos from today's ceremonies in Crawley.

The march up the High Street. It starts from TS Cossack (next to Sainsbury/Homebase) and the various cadet forces join with the veterans to march all the way up to the High Street and to the church. This year they set a cracking pace. I did hear a couple of veterans saying they might give it a miss next year as they were finding it hard to keep up. 

And here is one of those veterans – Bert Crane. Bert is one of the town's characters. He has been on the council since before the council existed – he was originally a parish councillor, then a town councillor, and when the borough council was formed he was straight on it.

In fact he has been in office for more than 50 years without a break, which must be some sort of record. He still comes out with us canvassing and delivering leaflets, attends more council metings than anyone else, and even came out collecting trolleys with us in Broadfield last month.

I like this picture because it really shows his character and the twinkle in his eye. You can just tell he was a very handsome man in his youth. 

This is the war memorial outside the church. While all the veterans, cadets and civic dignitaries are in the service four young marines (I think) stand guard at the memorial while the sergeant keeps coming along to make them perform strange movements.

This picture was taken right after the service when everyone gathered round ready to lay the wreaths. All the standard bearers from the services and service associations had just lowered their flags.

Our girl was with the army cadets and was laying a wreath for them for the second year running. And for the second year running I was unable to get a photo of it due to being in exactly the wrong place. Last year the memorial itself was in the way. This year a standard bearer was in the way.

Here is Chrystal with her cadet colleagues after the wreath-laying. They were just lining up for inspection before marching off to the TA place.

I used the video function of the camera to film them when they started marching and it is one of the funniest bits of film I have ever seen. Chrys is tall for her age. At only thirteen she is already the same height as me. So it was sheer genius of whoever organises these things to get the shortest cadet to stand next to her.