Happy Birthday

I've been privileged to receive an invitation to the 50th birthday celebrations of the local Women's Section of the Royal British Legion, at St Andrew's Church.

The event is being marked by a social afternoon, and I get the chance to chat with members of the Women's Section, as well as Normandy Veterans, members of the Royal Naval Association and others. As the years go by, the number of WWII veterans is declining, but - like myself - several people present saw the lunchtime TV news launching the Poppy Appeal, with a young man of 22 blinded in the conflict in Afghanistan reminding us that he too is a veteran, and that the need for organisations supporting current and former service men and women and their families is as great as ever.

There are plenty of interesting stories being told, not only about life in the forces, but also about the early years of the town. People remember the Stow being built, and how it only had a butcher's shop to begin with, so they had to walk over to Old Harlow for fruit and vegetables - though there was a delivery van.

There'll be a 50th anniversary service on Sunday, and of course the Poppy Appeal is getting under way, so things promise to be very busy from now to Christmas. There's been a special 50th anniversary rectangle sewn onto the Women's Section standard, and president Margaret cuts the 50th birthday cake.

The afternoon flies by - it's been a pleasure and a privilege spending time with some of Harlow's pioneer citizens.