Dear Editor,
St George’s Cathedral. Not been there since I was a little boy. What wonders inside as well as out! Cavernous. Mock Tudor. Anglican so not really religious. The scene for the commemoration service for the Queen last Saturday. They were all there-half the cabinet, much of the military top brass be medaled and with swords. The diplomats and some real people too.
The ministers were the most interesting. First into the stalls Anand Persaud ‘Mr. Bollywood’. He uses the same potion for his hair as Rudy Guilliani. The PM/Acting President in good time as was Ashni (thanks for the kudos by the way) and Robeson. But it was the ‘lates’ who caught my attention. Kwame the Minister of Information at 11.26-the service started at 11.00. Was he delayed reading the papers and at 11.30 Charles Jr. the Minister of Sport in a hat borrowed from his dad Bonnie. Perhaps he was delayed watching a match on the telly? He won the tardy prize.
At the end of the service some of the ministers were, rather like footballers at the start of game, struggling to find the words of the two national anthems. We all had problems with ‘God Save the Queen’ or was in ‘the King’? Was it present or past tense. Who were we saving? Even the Bishop did not seem to know. Guytelly too did not cover itself in roses. Arriving late and then causing a kerfuffle feeding a microphone to the front. They were ready to go, er, 11.17. Guyana Mean Time?
Service itself fairly routine apart from a couple faxu pas. Who is ‘The High Commissioner for England’ the Bishop introduced? Ask Nicola Sturgeon about that and there were simply not enough orders of service or hymn books. I had to watch people’s lips to follow the words. Always over provide. But all in all, a wonderful setting in which to remember our queen. It was just like being back in time. The Guyanese do pomp well. Nearly.
Sincerely,
John ‘Bill Cotton/Reform’ Mair