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For the last couple of years, Manchester has been preparing for this day. The
opening of the Commonwealth Games in the city. I can see the specially-built stadium
from my front door. See it in the distance at the top left of the photo above?
This afternoon I walked around Manchester with my friend Miss Noodle. We could
feel the excitement building. Then tonight we watched the excellent BBC coverage
of the opening ceremony and kept nipping out to see what was happening in the
distance.
At one point the Red Arrows display team flew over, trailing red, white and blue
smoke. Though just then I was on the telephone talking with my dad, who had called
to give me the latest update following mum's hip replacement operation which happened
yesterday morning.
In the past the opening event would probably have been quite stuffy and old-fashioned.
However, this ceremony was a mix of the traditional and popular and obviously
designed to appeal to people of all ages.
As in those 1960's British films about 'swinging London', this was a strange but
exciting mix of traditional British symbols together with the trendy and modern.
So, the marching band of the Grenadier Guards in their red tunics and bearskin
helmets was followed by S Club singing 'Don't Stop Movin'. The audience gasped
as the band were suddenly surrounded by fireballs which shot high up into the
air above the stadium.
There were some other great special effects, with huge images projected onto the
surface of the arena.
Seeing the athletes from all the different Commonwealth nations made me feel proud
to be part of that. There is definitely a special bond between us, which is something
that I have felt in the past when meeting people from India, Pakistan, the West
Indies and Malaysia. I know that some in those countries still resent the days
of the British Empire. But there are also many who feel affection for Britain,
just as we feel it towards them.
Manchester, in particular, has always welcomed people from different areas and
countries. In fact, thousands of overseas students will be arriving here to begin
University in just a few weeks.
Finally, there was a spectacular firework display,
which I caught on video from outside my front door (we were having some wine by
then). Here are some captures from my shots...
| Fireworks
shoot up high into the air from the sides of the stadium |
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