Thank EU for Being Here: Part 2

We turned up early – though not half as early as some – to help get things ready and to join a short choir rehearsal.

This was January 31st, Britain’s last day in the EU, and the occasion for North Yorkshire for Europe’s ‘Thank EU for being here’ party: a celebration for EU citizens who’ve made their homes here.

Richard Sadler, our energetic ideas-and-Chair-man, organises the banner.

There were tables and chairs in place, enough for about 120 people.  There was Richard up a stepladder wrestling to get the home made (thank you Phil) banner up.  And there were the cameras and reporters.  BBC Look North were already busy interviewing and ITV News at Ten was due too.  But look!  Isn’t that Nick Robinson from the Today programme?  Yes.  He stayed and listened to the choir rehearse, and did a few short interviews, which were transmitted on Saturday’s programme at about 8.15.

Nick Robinson talks to Richard Sadler.

Then it was 7.30.  People started arriving – slowly at first, then in a busy queue.  A Polish nurse who’d been part of the team when Malcolm was in hospital came, with two Spanish friends.  As we sat down, we found ourselves with, apart from them, Italian and Ukranian guests.  I chatted to a French woman.  We heard German, Dutch.  We puzzled over quiz sheets.  Where ever in Europe had all these pictures been taken?  There was music from our very own The Raisers.

Getting to know each other.

Supper was only partly European.  There were pizzas.  But besides them were vats of Indian vegetarian curries, breads and sweetmeats.  Feeding us all took quite a while, but gave the chance for lots of talking and getting to know one another.

Form an orderly queue.

Speeches of course.  You’ve got to have speeches: but they were short, and though full of regret, positive and forward-looking.

And the choir sang.  No longer the Remain Voice Choir, we’ve become the Reunion Chorus. Some of our old favourites have been brought up to date (‘Brexit is a form of Madness’ – you may know it as ‘Bread of Heaven’); and others are new (‘Europeans all are we..’ – ‘Bobby Shaftoe’).

Here are some of the band. As I was singing, I haven’t got any of the choir. I think Nick Robinson has.

The hands of the clock kept turning.  It was getting late. We stopped out chatter.  At exactly 11.00 o’clock, we stood up for a minute’s silence: reflective, saddened, angry.  And then the choir and everyone in the room joined in singing Ode to Joy.  After which, many of us turned to our neighbour for a comforting hug as we wept for what we had lost.

The evening was over.  But not our movement.  We’ve made new friendships in Yorkshire and beyond.  One day, we’re sure, Britain will be part of the EU once more.

ITV News at Ten at work.
Cameraman in action
Europeans in conversation.
The Raisers raise the roof.
Richard Wilson, Chair of Leeds for Europe, and Vice Chair of the European Movement.
Multi-tasking Arnold. Instrumental in organising the evening. Part of The Raisers. And crucially, our Choirmaster. Also known as the Messiah.
A crowded hall.
Richard Wilson, Chair of Leeds for Europe, and Vice Chair of the European Movement.
The evening’s over. Charlie and team tidy up.

 

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

30 thoughts on “Thank EU for Being Here: Part 2”

  10. You are so right, definitely better to be with like-minded friends at times of crisis. Well done to all for capturing the attention of the mainstream media. Shame not more of the footage was used.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. You did WELL, considering…. go with a loud ‘bang’ a weep and a song. You will ALWAYS still be part of ‘us’ (says the Swiss woman who is an islander too, in so many ways!) and I too hope and hope some more that one day you will once more be fully integrated in the EU. Have a big hug!!!!!

    Like

    1. We NEED big hugs, Kiki, so thank you. It’ll get worse before it gets better, unfortunately. But it’s good to be part of a supportive group, which includes people in other countries and continents too.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Believe me, just knowing that you are not alone, will give you boosts and courage. There are plenty of supporters out all over the world who wholeheartedly agree with you.

        Like

Comments are closed.