Thursday Ramble: Glasgow on the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day

One afternoon in Glasgow we walked from the hotel to the Catholic Cathedral and stumbled across the local commemoration service for the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.  It was a longer walk and more uphill than we expected, the same could be said of many walks in on this trip. 

As we approached we could hear a bagpiper, and then see a procession coming out of the front doors of the Cathedral. Men and Women in uniforms and dress of office. People, mostly older adults, were coming out in dressed in their Sunday best. A woman of a certain age passed me wearing white leather gloves, how elegant. I should wear more gloves for effect, she really carried it off. (I think soft red leather gloves for me.) 

Soon the dignitaries and local officials gathered back in front of the entrance for a group photo. One thing about carrying a real camera, no one questioned my stepping front and center to take a few photos. I looked like I knew what I was doing.  Something I have learned over the years is if you look like you belong, you can step into many places without anyone questioning you. Want to crash a wedding reception, look and act like you belong.

In the US it would be strange to see local officials wearing the chains and medallions of office. When I was in undergrad that I took an art class in jewelry making, the professor was tasked with creating a medal of office for the dean of the College. Rita, she was a sweetheart and a fearless leader who raised half-a-billion dollars for the endowment during her term. I helped Professor Learned cast the medal. It is about 3 inches across, cast in solid silver, as a recall about five ounces of silver.  

Back to Glasgow. As things quieted down, I entered the Cathedral, only to be ushered out, by someone saying the service would be over in a few minutes and the cathedral would reopen. Then it didn't open. I asked a man in a Kilt leaving by the side door when it would open, he must be a solicitor because I received the lawyerly answer. After Henry the VIII, the cathedral was turned over to the local authority. They manage the tourist visits. The congregation has an agreement for use for official services. And each maintains separate liability insurance. The commemoration service was done by the congregation, and they had finished and locked the doors, transferring responsibility back to the local council, who had taken the day off. The cathedral would not reopen until the local council arrived, the next day. 

Bottom line we didn't see the inside. But we did see a parade of local visitors, with pomp and circumstance, and get an official answer to a simple question (when will the church reopen.) Local color, great photos, and an answer I will probably never forget.