Remembrance Sunday

I joined other representatives of faith communities for the annual Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. The bands were magnificent. As the last notes of Walford Davies' 'Solemn Melody' faded away, the Royal Family were all in their places as Big Ben struck the hour and a gun fired one round to introduce the silence and another two minutes later to end it. I've seen the event or parts of it many times on television, but the experience of being there is far more moving. Liz joined other guests on one of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office balconies, and had excellent views of the event.

It has become the tradition on this Sunday for the President to preach at Hinde Street in the evening.

There were many aspects of this service I enjoyed, including the music group (pictured) that accompanied the hymns (including the Conference Memorials Secretary on bass recorder).

After the service, some of us retired to the manse for eats, drinks and conversation.