please empty your brain below

Wonderful story DG. It's true we mostly visit distant tourist sites, but most us us never make the effort to visit our home town tourist sites.

Good post - and one I've been lucky enough to see, having been one of those "on the other side". What many don't know is that the Tower of London is the Regimental Headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. This includes the Regimental Mess, and it is where a number of formal dinners for the regiment and those affiliated with it are held.

I'm lucky enough to be invited back for another dinner later this month (and have paid a good sum for it!) and will be lucky enough to witness the ceremony again. Very special, and very lucky to do so.

[smug] .... and I had the privilege many years ago, about 10BB (before blog), when I numbered the RRF as one of my clients. I also arranged a private viewing of the crown jools for Miss Ham, aged 5.[/smug]

It does occur to me that, in any other gathering of people outside of his own readership, DG would have had to wait a lot longer than two hours to find two others that (a) know about the ceremony and (b) have been.

Nice one DG!

DG, I had a quick search of your blog a month or so ago for details of this ceremony, prior to booking it for later this month. I was surprised to see that you hadn't yet been.

Having read this post I'm looking forward to seeing it myself even more.

I've also attended a ceremony of the keys - it was magic. And then we also got to go to the yeoman's private bar afterwards (which looked like a working men's club!). Staggering out of the Tower at midnight a little worse for wear is one of those experiences you'll never forget. Love London.

Blimey, you lot don't half lap up all this nonsense easily. Each to their own.

I'm surprised you didn't link to Spitalfields Life blog (as you have done before, as that's how I found it!), as s/he's been several times, and has been allowed to take photos!

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/09/03/the-oldest-ceremony-in-the-world-2

I planned ahead and sent the IRCs so my little American family could witness the Ceremony of the Keys. Turned out to me one of the more memorable things we did in London. My daughter was picked out of the crowd (only about 30 of us that night) by a Beefeater to help with our "escape" from The Tower. Big thrill for a 10-year-old.

DG,

We organised this for my in-laws on their visit from Oz 2 years ago. We happened to have a cold, frosty night with a full moon AND the first woman Yeoman was presiding. She really made the evening and for once, my MiL managed not to insult anyone and they let us out.

It's a fantastic experience and a must for any Londoner.

Rob

"International Reply Coupons"? Haven't heard of those for a while. Anyway, must go - the twin tub needs emptying.

I'd missed Spitalfields Life's visit. Some damned fine photos of the ceremony there too (although they're for a run-through, not the genuine article - which must never be photographed).

Hooray New Jersey!

Went back in the 80's as a guest of the Yoeman Warders who are all ex Sgt Majors or Warrant Officers, had a few beers in their mess and then watched the ceremony from the other side.











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