Looking Back On Pride

In the build up to Pride I found myself watching the weather forecast hoping for a fine and sunny day (nothing to do with eye candy). As the day dawned and started to rain, I felt we would be lucky just to get a break never mind sunshine. Not to be put off, I attended the parade and was heartened to see lots of people lining the streets watching and celebrating with me.

Our spirits were not dampened by the weather and the atmos- phere was great. And it was wonderful to see representations from the various Forces who received applause as they progress down the march. I later joined the rest of the Pinkies in Trafalgar Square as we prepared to sing to the masses. Backstage, the handsome John Barrowman soon found himself beseiged by Pinkies as we crowded round for photos.

Finally on stage, it was fantastic to see such a big crowd under a sea of umbrellas in the pouring rain as we belted out our number "Big Band Bash" - maybe "Don't Rain On My Parade" would have been more appropriate! The highlight of our performance was when John Barrowman started singing with us (well - it was for Carol as he was standing next to her). The crowd was supportive and we have to say well done to Lynne for organising this not to forget Mladen and Michael for their usual expertise in getting us through the song.

Wimbledon was a washout as usual but I suppose we'll have a water ban later in the year as our old and leaky pipes drain all the water from our systems. Oh I forget, it's the wrong type of rain for filling the system. However there is hope on the horizon with the streets of London being dug up all over the place apparently to replace our pipes. No doubt, they'll be dug up again next month to replace cables followed by gasworks the month after...

For me this long and enjoyable day ended with a quiet drink at my local with a handful of friends - one of whom had his last cigarette indoors before the smoking ban came into force - hurrah!

Fire And Brimstone, And A Kwik-E Mart

As you may know there have been a number of freakish storms this last week, resulting in the flooding of the area around Sheffield. I was due to travel up to Leeds last Tuesday but had to cancel since the country was effectively cut in half with road and rail networks down. For me it was just an inconvenience, but for the people who actually live in the area, it was pretty much a disaster, and my sympathies to them.

Of course, most people will see the events as little more than an unfortunate collision of weather systems... but not if you can get some publicity mileage out of it! Yesterday the Rt Rev Graham Dow, Bishop of Carlisle said that

This is a strong and definite judgment because the world has been arrogant in going its own way... We are reaping the consequences of our moral degradation, as well as the environmental damage that we have caused... The sexual orientation regulations [which give greater rights to gays] are part of a general scene of permissiveness. We are in a situation where we are liable for God's judgment, which is intended to call us to repentance.

How does such intolerance like this still exist in the 21st century? I know I was somewhat surprised at the slightly militant quality of the Deep C Divas performance at our summer concert, but I guess that because I live in the cosmopolitain and progressive bubble that is London, I have forgotten that such attitudes live on our doorstep.

I think it is time for something to perk me up, and what better than a real-life Kwik-E Mart with a shiny life-sized Apu behind the counter?

Singing In The Rain

Well done Pinkies - another splendid Pride performance on the main stage!

Despite the rain, the Pinkies continued as normal:

Lynne was everywhere at once, organising us all with her customary efficiency and remaining patient throughout. Surely for our 25th anniversary next year we should consider presenting her with an inscribed silver clipboard?

While Lynne toiled over a soggy clipboard, some of the choir were able to help out by doing a little networking . . .


Mladen excelled himself by conducting our entire performance using his umbrella. This made him much more visible for the tenors, middles and basses at the back. Thanks Mladen!

And as for the singing . . . we were fabulous of course! See you all on the main stage for Pride 2008!