Festival of Remembrance

It was very emotional this year.

Hannah Waddingham was excellent presenting the Festival.

I did say to DH that I'd rather have heard the version of Sailing by the crew of the Ark Royal.
I like Rod but he is getting a bit rusty.

I worried about Rod’s singing but luckily his backing singers held him up.

merlotgran

I worried about Rod’s singing but luckily his backing singers held him up.

Yes, they did well

Wondering why Keala Settle the American singer was relevant. Otherwise a deeply affecting remembrance of those we have lost.

I was staggered when Hannah Waddingham said her Grandad was 109. Wow! She is a great presenter.

I have to buck the trend here. I thought Hannah Waddingham was a poor choice. I loved Rod Stewart but was sorry that Sam Ryder's voice was drowned out by the orchestra.

I thought the whole programme was really well put together.

And, weren't the Wellermen good?

I only watched the first half hour then went to bed, will catch up the remainder.

I thought Hannah Waddingham was an excellent presenter.

Rod’s voice, along side many others, (Paul McCartney, Elton John…) has had its day, but his backing group helped him out. Also looked to have the words in front of him, wise move.

Good to see Prince George there, wonder if he’ll be at the Cenotaph today, or on the balcony, I mean.

He always looks very dark around his eyes.

I thought the entire programme was excellent.

I really like Hannah Waddingham and thought she presented the show with the right amount of gravitas, mentioning her Grandad added to this (she looked fabulous)

I am a Rod `Stewart fan, always will be, he is a showman, Sam Ryder, The Wellermen and Blossoming all very good.

I didn’t see it but have recorded it to watch later.I have to work today ( must buzz off and get ready) we will have the usual two minutes silence at 11 a.m. and the residents of our care home will observe it along with us, some of them 😢 then we serve tea and cake.We always do a poppy themed lobby.

Elrel

Wondering why Keala Settle the American singer was relevant. Otherwise a deeply affecting remembrance of those we have lost.

She might be American by birth but her mother was Maori so I think she feels connected to the Commonwealth.

Oreo

I didn’t see it but have recorded it to watch later.I have to work today ( must buzz off and get ready) we will have the usual two minutes silence at 11 a.m. and the residents of our care home will observe it along with us, some of them 😢 then we serve tea and cake.We always do a poppy themed lobby.

I trust that your care home respects residents who may disapprove of those ceremonies!

I thought Hannah Waddingham was dreadful. Far too strident and showbiz for a ceremony of Remembrance; she reminded me of Cicely Courtneidge doing a vaudeville turn singing war songs in the film of "The L-Shaped Room."

I enjoyed the rest, particularly the Drumhead Service.

I believe Rod Stewart raises a huge amount of money for Royal Navy Veterans.

kittylester

I have to buck the trend here. I thought Hannah Waddingham was a poor choice. I loved Rod Stewart but was sorry that Sam Ryder's voice was drowned out by the orchestra.

I thought the whole programme was really well put together.

I so agree! I disliked Hannah as the presenter, and it just didn’t seem right for her to be doing it.
Rod Stewart was pretty poor. Perhaps he should call it a day? If you need your backing singers to hold you up, not to mention having to be able to see the words, things are bad!
All in all, I was disappointed in the Remembrance Service this year. It just didn’t seem authentic, but I can’t really say why.
Sam Ryder’s voice, as was pointed out, was drowned. I’m afraid I can’t watch him anyway because of that ugly hairstyle and huge open mouth! I’m sorry - I know that will annoy some people, but I can’t help how I feel.

eazybee

I believe Rod Stewart raises a huge amount of money for Royal Navy Veterans.

Good for him, but his singing is definitely off! Perhaps he should concentrate on fund-raising!

I didn’t like Hannah Waddingham as a presenter either.I felt she was more acting a part than presenting.

Hannah Waddingham was over dramatic, but her words about her grandpa came from the heart.
Rod Stewart's singing was definitely off in Saling. Luckily, the singers came and stood either side of him.
I think more use could have been made of the orchestra.
The stories of lost relatives and friends were heartbreaking.

Caleo

Oreo

I didn’t see it but have recorded it to watch later.I have to work today ( must buzz off and get ready) we will have the usual two minutes silence at 11 a.m. and the residents of our care home will observe it along with us, some of them 😢 then we serve tea and cake.We always do a poppy themed lobby.

I trust that your care home respects residents who may disapprove of those ceremonies!

And why would that be?

I went to the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday afternoon. My eldest daughter took me as it was something I had always wanted to see.
Hannah Waddingham was an excellent presenter and singer. Rod Stewart sounded all of his 80 years, I'm afraid and was rubbing his throat when he came off stage after singing 'Sentimental Journey'. Rod always had an eye for glamourous blondes and his backing group consists of 3 stunners. Trying to keep the current Mrs. Stewart on her toes.
The wisest words came from the 100 year old Prince Albert Jacobs, the oldest Caribbean veteran. He said war was pointless and wondered why we can't all live in peace. Amen to that.

He's right.

Try telling world leaders ☹

The security at these events and the service today must be phenomenal.

Caleo

Oreo

I didn’t see it but have recorded it to watch later.I have to work today ( must buzz off and get ready) we will have the usual two minutes silence at 11 a.m. and the residents of our care home will observe it along with us, some of them 😢 then we serve tea and cake.We always do a poppy themed lobby.

I trust that your care home respects residents who may disapprove of those ceremonies!

What a strange thing to say Caleo ! Do you disapprove of remembering all the Service men and women on this special day?
Our residents love it, some are moved to tears watching the ceremony on tv, but if anyone didn’t want to watch they could go to their rooms, we don’t force anything upon them.

I’d no idea who the presenter was but didn’t think she fitted in with the solemnity of the occasion. Thought catherine looked exactly right.
Agree about rod stewart. I’d much rather have had someone like Alfie Boe.
Also felt it wasn’t as moving as usual but I’m not sure why.