Bomber Command Tribute

The Queen was in Green Park today with several members of her family, to dedicate a new memorial to the airmen of Bomber Command who died during World War II.

Photo: PA

Built in Portland stone and designed by Liam O’Connor, the memorial features a bronze 9 foot high sculpture of seven aircrew and remembers the sacrifice and bravery of over 55,000 RAF crew who lost their life in the conflict

The campaign to secure recognition for the bravery of Bomber Command was begun by the Bee Gees musician Robin Gibb, who sadly lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. 

Photo:  Guardian

Due to the very sensitive nature of the operations of Bomber Command, they were not mentioned by the Prime Minister Winston Churchill in his victory speech and there were no campaign medals.  However, without the determination and ultimate sacrifice from these men, the outcome of the war would have no doubt been significantly different.  The horror and destruction of the campaign has been addressed, by the inscription of a message of reconciliation and tribute to people of all countries who lost their life during World War II.

At the ceremony, were more than 6,000 veterans and families joined by airmen from the Commonwealth and other Allied countries who served alongside the British crew. The morning ended with a flypast by a Lancaster Bomber, scattering thousands of red poppies as a message of remembrance.

Photo:  AFP/Getty Images

30 days to go!

30 days to go and this morning London’s Mayor Boris Johnson gave the command for a giant set of Olympic Rings to be lowered from Tower Bridge.  The five colourful rings, first designed in 1912,  represent the five continents who send athletes to compete in the games.

Photo: AP

The rings are 25 metres wide and 11.5 metres tall and the iconic symbol of the games is set to inspire and unite people around the world, as well as residents and visitors to the capital.

Photo: AP

Tower Bridge has been treated to a brand new lighting system which will greatly enhance the beautiful architecture.  The 1,800 special energy efficient lights, will change in colour and intensity and spectacular one-off lighting displays will be staged during key moments of the Games.

Phone boxes like you have never seen before

How do you follow cows, elephants and eggs?  With phone boxes of course!

'My Friends and  Me' by Steven Gregory

London has just been given a new sport, find the brightly decorated phone box.  

BT have launched the ArtBox project to mark the 25^th anniversary of Childline and a selection of the boxes will be auctioned by Sotheby’s at the National Portrait Gallery on July 18.

'Ted's Ding a Bling' by Ted Baker

In Covent Garden on Monday, people were intrigued by
the boxes when they first appeared

Childline is a charity which was inspired by Esther Rantzen in 1986 to help give a voice to vulnerable children.  Since then millions of children with concerns ranging from bullying to sexual abuse, have had safe place to turn to and receive confidential advice and support.

Esther Rantzen on Box Lounger by Benjamin Shine. Photo: Daily Mail

The iconic red phone boxes, known by experts as the K6, were designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935.  They have now been replaced by a more modern design, but still have a place in the hearts of the British public who eagerly have bought the old boxes and you will find them in the strangest of places.

This year BT has asked some of our very best creative minds to design a replica to be displayed on the streets of London.

Over 80 boxes range from Nowhere to Hide by David White, to Peekaboo by Cosmo Sarson, Londontotem by Rian Hughes and Big Ben by Mandii Pope.

Sir Peter Blake has chosen to cover his artwork with 400,000 Swarovski crystals and named it "a celebration of Britishness in 2012". This one has been appropriately placed in the 'bling' surroundings of New Bond Street.

The project follows the popular Faberge eggs which appeared over London last year and the adorable family of elephants the year before, which started a contest between Londoners to see how many they could find.  This was all in aid of the Elephant Family, who work to highlight the plight of the Asian elephant

Setting up on a wet May morning by County Hall

Can I come home with you?  I'm wet and lost!

Yes, that is a Nun sprinting along the Southbank!

We were taking part in a charity 'Nun Run' in aid of Barnados,
organised by the production company of the show 'Sister Act'

In 2002 London was treated to Cow Parade, 150 brightly painted cows which managed to raise over £300,000 at auction for Childline.

Full details at www.btartbox.com

The Queen's Official Birthday

London streets were once again full of cheering crowds on Saturday 17 June, to join in the celebrations for the Queen’s Official Birthday.  The Queen was born on 21April, but it is traditional to celebrate the day in summer when good weather is more likely. 

The Trooping of the Colour ceremony is carried out by her personal bodyguards, the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) and dates back to the days when the colours of a regiment were ‘trooped’ before the soldiers to make sure every man could recognise his own regiment and which battle colours to follow.

Photo: PA

 More than 16,000 officers and soldiers take part in the Trooping of the Colour and the Queen has attended every single parade since her coronation, riding side-saddle on horseback  until 1987 wearing the uniform of the Regiment whose colour was being trooped. This year it was the flag of the 1^St Battalion Coldstream Guards.

Photo: PA

This year the Queen and Prince Phillip arrived at Whitehall in the Glass Coach ready to enjoy the pomp and ceremony, whilst  the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, The Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals and the Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards were in full military dress on horseback.

Photo: Reuters

Wearing a sunny yellow coat and hat, the Queen must have been delighted to have the Duke of Edinburgh at her side again after his spell in hospital and they regularly stood to take the salute before sitting to enjoy more of the stirring music. A quick march with an American flavour was included as a tribute to the close co-operation of the British and American forces in Afghanistan.  The massed bands managed to perform complicated marching manoeuvres whilst belting out some toe-tapping music.

Photo: Reuters

Stepped in historical tradition, this tremendous performance of pageanty and skill is the opportunity for the armed forces to demonstrate their commitment to their Monarch.  The display of attention to detail, teamwork and discipline are all qualities which directly relate to how soldiers need to behave on a battlefield.

Photo:  Reuters

After the parade the Queen and Duke, in the Glass Coach, were then escorted back to Buckingham Palace by a Sovereign’s Escort from the Household Cavalry in their shining breastplates and plumed helmets, along with the Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41 gun salute in Green Park and at the Tower of London the Honourable Artillery Company fired a 62-round salute.

Photo: AFP

Back at the Palace the Queen and her family appeared on the balcony to enjoy the warmth of the crowds and for another spectacular RAF flypast, finishing with the Red Arrows and their stream of red, white and blue.

Photo: Reuters

Two days later and the Mall and Horseguards Parade were yet again a hive of activity with lorries and workmen making preparations for the Olympic Beach Volley Ball on the Parade Ground and installing the security equipment for the events on the Mall.

Next time you see this it will be a Beach Volley Ball arena

Security

A day of Thanksgiving

Photo: BBC

The Queen was a very lonely figure as she climbed the steps to the magnificent St. Paul's Cathedral on the morning of Tuesday 5 June, to attend the service of Thanksgiving.  Prince Philip had spent the night in hospital and it was a very sad sight to see Her Majesty having to cope with this very busy and special day on her own.  However, as always she takes everything in her stride and with the support of her family was able to be her usual dignified self.

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Wearing a mint green lace coat and matching hat Queen Elizabeth joined the rest of her family, representatives from the Commonwealth, members of the Government and invited guests under the soaring dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. The congregation enjoyed a joyful celebration of our Queen's utterly demanding service to her country and the Archbishops of Canterbury paid tribute to the selflessness of our monarch and also offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Photo: PA

The service over, the sound of cheers and pealing bells filled the City of London and the Queen and other members of the Royal family split to attend receptions at Mansion House and The Guildhall in the City, before The Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended a lunch at Westminster Hall in the Palace of Westminster. This was organised by the Livery Companies of trades and professions in London, who had invited representatives from charities and the armed forces.

The 1902 State Landeau  Photo: Reuters

No time for a rest after lunch for our 86 year old monarch, carriages were waiting to take the Royal party back to Buckingham Palace.  The Queen sat next to the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles took the seat opposite and following behind in the next carriage was the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

The route from Westminster to The Mall was lined with troops from all the armed forces facing outwards , whilst the police were facing inwards to spot any potential trouble in the crowds.
The cheering and flag waving public exuded happiness as the Sovereign's Escort led the Royal party through the streets whilst the sound of a 60 gun salute from the King's Troop on Horseguards Parade boomed down the streets like thunder.  There were so many horses to accommodate that the Wellington Barracks had to turn an underground car park into temporary stables for the day!

The Guard of Honour were ready with their welcome in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace and later performed a Feu de Joie (Fire of Joy) which is a celebratory cascade of rifle fire given as a salute by the The Queen's Guard.

Photo:  Reuters

The crowds were entertained by the bands of the armed forces as they escorted the troops back from their positions along the route, then the police carried out a very controlled operation to slowly allow the crowds into the Mall and down to the front gates of the palace.

                                                 

Soon the whole area was filled with happy smiling people waiting for the door to the balcony to swing open and send up a loud cheer.

Photo: Getty

The Royal party stepped out to a thunderous reception and spent a long time enjoying for themselves the sight of so many people with messages of goodwill.

Photo:  PA

With the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall on her right and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on her left and Prince Harry at the end, their attention was drawn to the small black dots in the distance, it was the start of the flypast.

                                                             

The breathtaking sight of Spitfires, a Lancaster Bomber and Dakota, and Hawker Hurricanes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight led the way for the Royal Air Force Red Arrows with their trail of red, white and blue smoke.

Photo:  AP

This was an occasion for everyone to feel united in happiness and despite difficult economic times, forget about the worries of everyday life for a few days.  The Queen looked a picture of happiness over the hectic four days of celebration, despite the worry about the health of her husband.  We all thought she should have a 'pyjama day' on the Wednesday, but no, she was back out again to meet with the heads of the Commonwealth for a luncheon.

Our resident artist managed to find a few moments to start a sketched memory of the day from the comfort of the seating area outside the Palace.

Party Day

Monday 4th June was the day of the much anticipated concert outside Buckingham Palace, but before the music began the lucky ticket holders were treated to a garden party in the grounds of the Palace.

Royal Chef Mark Flanagan and Heston Blumenthal show us the contents of the wicker hamper. Photo: PA

The tickets to the concert were issued by a public ballot and the lucky winners were each given a special picnic box which had been created by the chef Heston Blumenthal with an emphasis on the celebration of British produce. The wicker baskets contained Scottish smoked salmon, a modern version of coronation chicken, strawberry crumble crunch, cupcakes and cheeseboard with biscuits and chutney. To wash this down there was a choice of Moet & Chandon Champagne, Cobra beer or Hildon's water. A very thoughtful addition was a waterproof poncho, either for weather protection or use as something to sit on.

Photo: Reuters

Having enjoyed the carnival atmosphere in the Queen's back garden, the 10,000 strong crowd took their seats to enjoy the very best selection of entertainment from the last six decades.  The evening opened with Robbie Williams and his special orchestra doing Let Me Entertain You and was brought to a close by the timeless Sir Paul McCartney, who invited the enormous cast of world famous stars to join him for the final number. Stevie Wonder,Sir Elton John, Shirley Bassey, Sir Tom Jones, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minnogue and Jessie J were just a few of the legends to take the stage, alongside the organiser, Gary Barlow.

The Royal Box thoroughly enjoy the evening
Photo: Daily Mail

One of the highlights was the performance by the the group Madness on the roof of the Palace, accompanied by the most amazing laser mapped projections which changed the facade of the Palace into a block of flats, a terraced street, London taxis and buses, scenes with Henry VII and a surreal dolls house.  It really was creative MADNESS!

The Palace transformed into a terraced street with passing taxi, whilst Madness play in the top right!
Photo:  BBC

Photo: Daily Mail

The evening ended with a tribute to the Queen from her son Prince Charles, who also encouraged the crowds to send a roar of goodwill to his father Prince Philip who had been taken to hospital with a bladder infection.  That was the loudest cheer of the evening!

Photo: Wenn.com

The Queen then stepped forward to light the national jubilee giant beacon by placing a crystal glass 'diamond' into a pod, sparking the ignition to the beacon.  This was topped off with an amazing firework display, whilst the projections continued across the front of the Palace and a rousing chorus of Land of Hope and Glory sang out across the city.

Photo: Reuters