Nothing like an empty sea-side shelter on a winter day! I used to sit in this very shelter as a kid and eat my sandwich, apple and packet of crisps (potato chips!). Opposite it stands the Hotel Prince Regent. Maybe “the” hotel in Weymouth although a couple others may disagree, it’s location is hard to beat. Opposite it stands the (British) War Memorial.
Later in life I stood for hours in that empty spot just on the left, with a huge video camera. The town holds a veterans day march every year in June, I remember in 2012 it was thought over 2,000 marched. The dignitaries, met in the hotel, no doubt had a coffee and a chat before appearing at the allotted time for a service, containing the laying of the poppy wreaths. I videoed this for a number of years. After the service I would re-position to record the march. It was not un-usual for it to take an hour to pass and have many bands. Early on there were many WW2 veterans, sadly few are left. Most who now march are from later wars. One year my position was on the balcony right above the hotel name, that year it was so long and large we had 12 cameras covering the event. Thankfully I wasn’t the editor!
Since my last visit to this spot, which has been a few years, not one but two new memorials have appeared. Above is the Anzac Memorial and below one to the Merchant Navy.
Further along the sea-front is the American (US) War Memorial. This stands opposite the Royal Hotel. I remember photographing a wreath laying here too, sadly I can’t remember the names of the dignitaries although I do still have the negs (somewhere!). I also remember it was raining, we were all soaked, and no-one cared a bit.
Lots of memories – I guess that’s what happens when you grow up and live in the same town for 40 years!
S.H.O.U.T. 