A Word In Your Ear - July 20, 2017

We appreciate a bit of culture occasionally but don't care to travel far. Last week we switched on those popular Proms televised from the Royal Albert Hall.
Roy EdmondsRoy Edmonds
Roy Edmonds

We appreciate a bit of culture occasionally but don’t care to travel far. Last week we switched on those popular Proms televised from the Royal Albert Hall.

I should have been alerted by zealous critics promising a wondrous evening’s programme. It was a modern piece without melody and with lyrics making less sense than a Bob Dylan song. Bring on Land Of Hope And Glory please!

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Still, we made up for it with a weekend concert at St Paul’s. No, not the cathedral but the Whitegate Drive church across our road. For a few quid to parish funds, we entered a palm court atmosphere with songs and soliloquies. There was patriotic fervour too, as we sang there’d always be an England, but also of Scotland the Brave, our Welsh home in the valleys and Irish eyes smiling.

It reminded us of our many blessings here in this still United Kingdom, something politicians fail to do. Also, it was neighbourly; we caught up with others from our Great Marton area over an interval glass of wine.

Sadly, the age of most present was ‘knocking on’. However, it is just such events which keep community spirit fresh and encourage people’s latent talents.

Down the coast in Lytham, preparations are under way for the summer festival. I preferred it back when a smaller Sunday-evening affair, prompted by a few Hallé musicians playing free on the Green, while locals picnicked then chipped in charity donation to a plastic bucket. Now there are car parks, stewards, stars and so-called VIP areas, all run with commercial drive over a week.

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Of course, big concerts also bring people together and can generate a positive fervour too.

However, true community spirit emerges when culture is at its charitable best – at small events displaying big hearts.

Let’s help keep that hope and glory thriving, whenever we can.

• For Roy’s books go to royedmonds-blackpool.com, Kindle or stores.