This year was the turn of London South West to provide the contingent to represent Girlguiding in the parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday.
Our group was made up of the two lead volunteers, Barbara & Hiral, our County Commissioner Neva, the two volunteers from London South East who were shadowing us in preparation for next year and 25 members aged 13 to 30 years.
We’d held two rehearsal evening when we practised marching and checked out what we were going to wear. We had jackets specially printed with the County name on the back worn with scarves and our poppies.
On the day we met bright and early and were ushered through security to take our place between the Scout and Girls Brigade groups, fortunately the weather was kind and it was a nice bright but fresh day. From 10am the groups of veterans marched out from Horse Guards and took their places in 3 columns next to us. Everyone was lined up by 11am ready for the arrival of the Queen & dignitaries and the 2 minute silence. It was amazing to be in the centre of London in complete silence. Then followed the laying of wreaths and the service of Remembrance. We then had a lengthy wait while all the groups in term marched off past the Cenotaph, we were near the end of the final column and finally marched of at a good pace, trying hard to keep in step as we marched past the Cenotaph giving a smart ‘eyes left’ as Alex handed over our wreath to be laid with all the others. Then it was round to Parliament Square, back up Horse Guards Road where Prince Charles was taking the salute (an eyes right) then into Horse Guards for the National Anthem and to be dismissed.
It was such an honour & privilege to take part in such a special event, one we will all remember. The girls did us proud, looking very smart and we were rewarded with some good TV coverage.