Wreath Laying at the Cenotaph

 Yesterday evening, the British Legion organised a short service of wreath laying in remembrance of the Queen at the cenotaph.  It's the sort of thing they're very good at.

All the scouting and guiding groups were involved, down to the littlest ones in bright red tops, and the standard bearer of the Beavers took his place in the line of flag bearers.

Here they are having their photos taken

And here's the line of flag bearers.  I think the naval uniform may be one of the Sea Cadets?  I saw the ship name Antelope on the hat band of one of them.  Gareth Ratcliffe was the British Legion standard bearer, as usual, and there were other local British Legion groups.

As the crowd gathered, a chap was playing saxophone in the Cheese Market.  There was also recorded music for parts of the ceremony, which was being filmed for posterity by John, who always records significant moments in the history of Hay.

After George the Town Crier rang his bell to begin proceedings, the President of the British Legion said a few words, announcing that the charity concert at St Mary's was now starting at 7.30pm so people could attend both events.  He had been one of the Queen's security detail as a younger man, and said he first met the Queen when he nearly ran over one of her corgis!

A lady read the poem that's been going round on Facebook about the Queen's death, and a priest read prayers.

Kelvyn Jenkins blew the Last Post, and there was a minute's silence.  A piper played while the wreaths, and bunches of flowers from the children were laid.  The Mayor of Hay laid one of the first wreaths.

The service finished with everyone singing God Save the King, followed by the Welsh National Anthem.

Then the piper played as the crowd started to disperse, though it did make me smile that the tune he chose was the Skye Boat Song, in which a Prince called Charles is fleeing the country!

As I walked back down the hill, I could hear Vera Lynn singing We'll Meet Again from the loudspeakers.