Deputy Mayor’s Blog: A time to remember and a time to celebrate light over darkness

Traditionally November is the month for remembering, starting with all Souls Day on 1 November when Christians remember the souls of the departed. 

Samhain

Historically, this built on Samhain, a pagan festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition which was celebrated from October 31 (now All Saints Day and Halloween) to November 1 and ushered in the harvest and the dark half of the year. People believed that the barriers between the physical and spirit worlds broke down during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and 'the Other World'.  

These celebrations often coincided with autumnal fire festivals and bonfires, Samghnagans, were lit to 'protect' people from fairies and witches. Carved turnips, embedded with coal, known as Jack O’Lanterns became part of the tradition, although later they switched to pumpkins. Children also played games to entertain the dead while adults updated them on the past year’s news. 

Echoing these bygone times, this year at Halloween, Trick or Treaters were out all over the Borough in colourful costumes and Jack O’Lanterns were everywhere.

Remember, remember the fifth of November

This was swiftly followed by bonfires and fireworks marking Guy Fawkes Day on 5 November when we remembered Guido Fawkes and the failed Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

I was in my own ward, Barnes, judging a highly creative Best Guy Competition, watching the lighting of a huge bonfire, and being entertained by a massive firework display. It was a lovely community event with many volunteers working hard to make it a success. Barnes Sports Club where it was held was founded by First World War veterans to provide sports and recreation facilities for the local community and it was wonderful to see that over 100 years on, the club is still doing its best to foster the vision of its founders and welcome locals to play traditional games like hockey squash, tennis and cricket as well as participate in the social club, junior chess club, holiday clubs and larger community events.   

The Mayor, meanwhile, really enjoyed herself at the fabulous Richmond Athletic Association Fireworks.

Crawdaddy Club

Coincidentally, Richmond Athletic Ground is also home to the legendary Crawdaddy Club which opened in 1963. The Rolling Stones were its house band followed by The Yard Birds and many other notable British blues and rhythm and blues acts played there. This month, the Crawdaddy Club came to York House where we were royally entertained to a fantastic Joni Mitchell Homage Both Sides Now with Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, with funds being raised for the Mayor’s charities, Age UK Richmond and SEEN. Joni Mitchell turned 80 on 7 November so it was a timely tribute, and she was remembered and celebrated to the full.

Remembrance Sunday

On the 11 November and Remembrance Sunday we always have acts of remembrance for those who fell in the First and Second World Wars and all the conflicts Britain has been involved in since. Both the Mayor and I attended a poignant Service of Remembrance at Richmond Synagogue on the Saturday, followed by an open-air service at the Richmond Memorial on Sunday. I was deeply honoured to take the salute and participate in the service at Radnor Gardens Memorial in Twickenham and to spend time afterwards at the Royal British Legion.  

I was particularly moved this year as it was the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest campaign of the Second World War which claimed the lives of 72,000 allied naval and merchant seaman, 6000 RAF Coastal Command personnel and 30,000 sailors.  We also remembered the unique contribution of the Windrush generation 75 years after the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush. The men and women from the many different nations, cultures, religions, and communities who came together and stood shoulder to shoulder with us to defend our freedoms.

Our connection with Korea

In addition, this year is the 70th anniversary of the ending of the fighting in the Korean War, the so-called Forgotten War, which we must ensure is never forgotten. Over 81,000 British personnel were involved, over a thousand of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice and thousands more were injured.  

 140 years of UK-Korea relations were also remembered at the Ties Through Time Exhibition which I was privileged to preview earlier this month at Fuse Box, Kingston. It was a grand tribute to well over a century of remarkable cooperation, cultural exchange, and diplomacy between our two countries.  We were treated to an exquisite rendition of the Daegeum , a transverse bamboo flute used in traditional Korean music.  There is a large Korean Community in London, particularly in New Malden, with many working, visiting, and shopping in neighbouring Richmond where we are delighted to welcome them.  As I write, a lavish royal welcome is being laid on for the South Korean President’s State Visit to Britain.

Chilean Embassy visit

Remembering Richmond’s ties with Chile was uppermost in my mind when I visited the Chilean Embassy last week for an event to welcome dance artists from the Teatro Municipal - National Opera of Chile and the Ballet de Santiago organised by the Anglo Chilean Society.  They were here to take part in a special insight event to mark the Legacy and creative genius of ballet dancer and choreographer Bronislava Nijinska at the Royal Opera House. Vaslav Nijinsky, Bronislava’s brother, is often better remembered than she is, so a redress is long overdue as she was a major artist in her own right and a key figure in the development of twentieth century ballet. You can watch Insights – the Legacy of Nijinska online.

The victory of light over darkness

At the start of my blog, I mentioned that while November is a time for remembering, it also a time to celebrate light in one of the darkest months of the year. The Mayor celebrated the Hindu Festival of lights, Diwali, at Whitton Social Centre, organised by Age UK Richmond. Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. I understand that in the spirit of the festival, the Mayor had some dancing tuition to improve her moves which reinforced her view that staying active and stimulated is essential!

Christmas at Kew

Thankfully I needed no extra tuition to enjoy the inaugural evening of Christmas at Kew – a magical light trail across Kew Gardens with some wonderful accompanying music. A true feast for the senses and a poignantly beautiful and timely reminder to nurture nature and protect our environment for future generations.  If we can achieve that it will be a true celebration of light over darkness.

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