A COLOURFUL OCCASION

from Felpham In Focus June 2023

A GOOD READ

BY JAMIE MAXFIELD

The Trooping The Colour Takes Place On 17 June

Trooping the Colour is a spectacular military ceremony held annually in London on a Saturday in June, to celebrate the British monarch’s official birthday. It’s a magnificent display of military precision and tradition that has been taking place for over 260 years. The event is attended by members of the royal family, government officials, and thousands of members of the public who gather along the parade route to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.

The origins of Trooping the Colour date back to the 17th century when military units would march in front of their monarch to show their allegiance and loyalty. The tradition continued through the centuries and was formalized in 1748 when George II decided to combine his birthday celebration with the military parade. Since then, the reigning monarch’s official birthday has been celebrated with the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

The ceremony itself takes place on Horse Guards Parade in London and is a colourful display of military pomp and ceremony. Over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians take part in the event, making it one of the largest military parades in the world. The ceremony begins with the arrival of the monarch, who is then escorted by the Household Cavalry to inspect their troops. The King’s arrival will be announced by a fanfare of trumpets, and the national anthem played.

Once the King has inspected his troops, he’ll return to Buckingham Palace, where he’ll watch the remainder of the parade from the balcony. The highlight of the ceremony will be the Trooping of the Colour itself, which involves the soldiers of the Household Division marching in formation with their banners (known as colours). This part of the ceremony is accompanied by music from the Massed Bands of the Household Division, creating a stirring and emotional spectacle.

After the Trooping the Colour, the soldiers will march back to their barracks, and the King will return to the palace for the traditional balcony appearance. This is when the public gets to see the royal family as they wave to the crowds below. The appearance on the balcony is always a highlight of the ceremony, and this year people are expected from all over the world to witness the iconic moment of a new King. An RAF fly-past is expected to mark the end of the display.

Trooping the Colour is not just a military ceremony; it’s also an important part of our culture and history. It’s a celebration both of the monarchy and the country’s military heritage. The ceremony has been adapted and changed over the years, but it still retains its traditional elements, making it a unique and important event in the British calendar.

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Be A Bbq Boss By

KATE McCARTHY

How To Choose A Barbecue

Summer is here, and what better way to enjoy the weather than by hosting a barbecue in your garden? But with so many types of barbecues available, how do you choose the best one for your needs? Here are a few things to consider when selecting the best barbecue for your plot.

Size matters – Well it’s an important consideration anyway! Your barbecue should be large enough to accommodate the amount of food you need for all your guests, but not so large that it takes up your whole space. Consider how many people you will usually cook for, and how often you plan to host a barbecue.

Fuel Type – There are three choices: charcoal, gas, or electricity. Each has its pros and cons, so consider which type of fuel is best for your needs. Charcoal barbecues provide that authentic smoky flavour but can be difficult to light and regulate the temperature. Gas barbecues are easy to use and allow for precise temperature control but can be more expensive to run. Electric barbecues are convenient and easy to use but may not provide the same level of flavour as charcoal or gas. Gas and Electricity also have the advantage of allowing for more spontaneity as they can be switched on and ready to go pretty much instantly. Good for unpredictable British weather.

Construction – A high-quality barbecue should be built to last, with sturdy materials and solid construction. Look for a barbecue with a thick, heavy-duty grill grate, and a durable body made from materials like stainless steel or cast iron. Avoid barbecues with flimsy components that may rust or break over time.

Additional Features – Some barbecues come with additional features that can make cooking easier and more enjoyable. For example, a side burner can be used for cooking side dishes or sauces, while a built-in thermometer can help you monitor the temperature of the food. Other features to consider include warming racks, rotisserie attachments, and smoker boxes.

Price – Barbecues can range in price from under £100 to £1000+. Consider how much you are willing to spend, and what features are most important to you. Remember that a higher price does not necessarily mean better quality, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase.

Accessories – Once you’ve settled on the barbie, it’s time to accessorise. Barbecues can reach over 300C, so a pair of heat-proof gloves will reduce the risk of burns. Cleaning your grill while it’s still hot makes removing stubborn grease and sticky marinades a little easier to shift. A hard-wearing scraper and brush that has a long handle is probably the best method. My husband loves his grill press, which is easier to use for searing steaks and burgers than a spatula, and his grill cage, both for cooking fish and also for turning several kebabs at a time! A meat thermometer is also a good investment, especially if you cook a lot of chicken.

In the UK barbecue season is fairly short so let’s make the most of al fresco dining while we can.

HAVE YOU MADE A DIGITAL LEGACY?

When you make a will, you arrange to leave your physical assets and money to beneficiaries such as family members, friends, acquaintances or favourite charities. If you don’t make a will, the decision will probably be made in court.

Nowadays, however, most people also leave behind various online assets, including profiles, email accounts, posts and other content in social media and content sharing accounts, as well as files stored in the cloud. Not many people think about this, and the consequences to those who succeed them if they are lost, or if the online accounts associated with them are simply deleted. If you want to protect these assets and your successors, you really should make provision by leaving a digital legacy.

What are the risks of not having a digital legacy?

All of those precious memories in the form of photos, videos and favourite music libraries – as well as posts, comments and conversations on social media – will be inaccessible to family and friends, and possibly lost for all time. Successors may be unable to maintain links with close contacts as they cannot gain access to them. And on a more practical level, they will not be able to close accounts – including bank, credit card, building society and online store accounts – held in your name.

Where to start

Your first priority should be to ensure that online accounts which involve payment information can be immediately closed down upon your death to prevent fraud or identity theft, or continued legitimate payments taken. These include banking, shopping/auction sites, utilities, telecoms, entertainment, gaming, gambling and dating sites. The respective companies or sites should be able to advise on what course of action to take.

There are a number of ways to help ensure that digital assets will not get lost after your death. There are too many websites and online services to mention in this article, so some of the most widely used are listed on the Get Safe Online website at www.getsafeonline.org/personal/articles/digital-legacies. The main thing to remember is to include your wishes regarding all or individual accounts – including logins and other access details – in your will and lodging it securely with your solicitor.