Silence in the Square - 11 November 2008

[Richard]

Hello everybody.

It was a very different and moving experience in Trafalgar Square this morning. I met up with Gordon and Grant just after 8:30, and we were in time to watch the soundchecks. The weather was sunny but rather cold and windy, so Hayley was well wrapped up in the red coat that she wore when she was selling poppies at Waterloo Station. She spotted us as soon as she stepped onto the stage, and after her soundcheck she came out and chatted to us for several minutes, together with Nicola from Bedlam Management.

The event started just after 10:00 when Rolf Harris sang 'Two Little Boys' accompanied by the Fron Male Voice Choir. Then Blake sang 'Jerusalem' followed by a song from their latest album, but unfortunately I didn't note the title. Hayley then appeared, and she gave us beautiful renditions of 'Now Is The Hour' and 'Songbird', accompanied by backing tracks. She was still wearing her red coat, but she looked as stunning as she sounded. Martin joined us in time to hear 'Songbird'.

John Hurt then read the poem 'Do not stand at my grave and weep', which was followed by a live link up to the BBC's coverage of the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. This took us up to the Two Minute Silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. After the Silence, all the celebrities joined the crowd for the final act of remembrance, placing poppy petals in the fountains while the Fron Male Voice Choir sang 'Amazing Grace'.

We had another chat with Hayley before Martin went back to work, then the rest of us adjourned to the coffee bar in the National Gallery. I can promise you some very interesting and different photographs when Grant gets home this evening.

Richard

[Dave]

Hi Richard, thanks for the report and well done all of you, I'm sure Hayley appreciated your support (for the cause too).

I've just had a quick zoom through the TV coverage this morning and essentially, it was from The Cenotaph and I didn't notice anything from Trafalgar Square.

Cheers, Dave

[grant]

Hello everyone

I was not looking forward to getting up at 4.45am this morning and consequently, didn't sleep very well. As I parked the car at Long Eaton station at 5.40am, it began to rain heavily. My train was late and by the time it pulled into the platform, I was cold, wet and windswept ........

All that was forgotten as I stepped onto a sunlit Trafalgar Square just after 8.30 to meet up with Richard and Gordon and to hopefully see Hayley arrive. We didn't, but she spotted us as she walked to the stage for her sound check and later came to say hello and chat for a few minutes. We managed to congratulate her on her and Jonathan's stunning performance at the RAH before she was shepherded off to do a TV interview.

This is the first time I have attended an event like this on Armistice Day and I am so, so glad that I made the effort. I found it a very moving experience particularly when the entire square fell silent at 11 o'clock - even the traffic fell silent as we all remembered.

Hayley was terrific, Blake's other song, by the way Richard, was "Up Where We belong" although the sound was 'off' and quite noticeable, particularly with Blake - not their fault.

Rolf Harris and the Fron were superb, Rolf spending quite a long time chatting to fans. John Hurt's reading of "Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep" was also very moving.

Hayley being interviewed

After the performance, which only lasted about 40 minutes and was followed by a 20 minute live link to the Cenotaph, Hayley and Blake came out to start off the throwing of poppy petals into the fountains although the photographers seemed to concentrate more on Hayley.

Those 15/20 minutes were pure magic. Hayley still managed to find time to pose with various onlookers and I noticed at one point she seemed completely surrounded by an entire class of school children.

We managed a few more minutes with Hayley before her demanding schedule required Nicola to whisk her away to some other activity.

Having said goodbye to Martin, Richard, Gordon and I went for a warm drink. (Thank you for the hot chocolate Richard!) before going our separate ways.

Thank you Hayley and everyone for a very special and very emotional morning.

Some very unusual pictures to follow this evening

Best wishes
Grant

[Dean McCarten]

Nov 11, 2008 16:06:34 GMT grant said:

although the photographers seemed to concentrate more on Hayley.

I'm sorry but I can't blame them, I jealous of the photographers that have had the chance to do photoshoots with Hayley

[Mark]

Hi everyone

Thanks Richard and Grant for your moving and very prompt reports. I really wish I could have made it to London - alas - I have to spend some time working I am really looking forward to your photos Grant. Glad you got home safely.

Best regards
Mark

[grant]

Nov 11, 2008 16:54:57 GMT Dean McCarten said:

Nov 11, 2008 16:06:34 GMT grant said:

although the photographers seemed to concentrate more on Hayley.

I'm sorry but I can't blame them, I jealous of the photographers that have had the chance to do photoshoots with Hayley

Nor can I Dean. In fact, I joined them as you will see shortly

Best wishes
Grant

[graemek]

Thanks Grant,

Great shot (s)

Graeme

[grant]

Hello everyone and thanks for your comments so far.

As far as photographing Hayley is concerned, this was very different! so for once, and because I'm going to be away for much of the next two days, I'm going to start with some of the best.

I hope you like them

Once the formalities were over, Hayley and Blake emerged onto the square to throw the first poppy petals into the fountain and to encourage us all to do the same

After throwing in her first few, Hayley stood for a few moments in quiet reflection.

There followed a period of 25 minutes or so during which Hayley posed for photos.

More later!

Best wishes
Grant

[Martin]

Hi Grant
Brillaint, brilliant photos (and so promptly). They make me feel that I was there (hang on, I was! .

It was great to meet up again with the other HWI members and support this very moving ceremony and, of course, Hayley.

We were all extremely proud of Hayley's attendance today and her involvement throughout the poppy appeal. The amount of time and commitment given has been staggering.

Martin

ps Grant - who was the photographer taking a photo of you?

[martindn]

Hi Grant,

Thanks for the photos and the report. It would have been nice to have been there, but I too had to work.

Martin

[grant]

Hello again everyone

Here are the rest of the best!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

The photographers were desperate to photograph Hayley actually throwing the petals into the fountain, but she had a headwind and they kept blowing back! She really entered into the spirit of the ocassion and seemed to be really enjoying herself.











This is my overall favourite of the day

[Andrew]

Hi Grant,

I can only echo what others have said here... Many thanks for your report and braw photos... i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Hayley looks really striking in red, doesn't she? WOW...

Grant, you have done 'HWI' proud!

Andrew

[ron]

Thanks for the photos so far Grant-I am sure that the first photo is the most beautiful portrait I have ever seen of Hayley-she is so naturally photogenic.
Best Wishes
Ron

[martindn]

Wow Grant, great photos. That last one has been added to my Hayley Faves collection!

Martin

[Dean McCarten]

Well done Grant...

Yes again you have done 'HWI' & Hayley very proud with these photos!
I have to wonder has any of HWI's Members photos ever made it into the media (i.e newspaper)?