It's complicated

For me it isn't really. I hate war and don't understand the reasons behind it. It seems completely mad that so many people have lost their lives because of it. Ijust wish it would stop. I don't understand all this debate about red poppy, white poppy, no poppy.

I went to two ceremonies this morning in Norwich: the first at which wreaths of red poppies were laid and current and ex service people paraded, prayers were said and a silence was observed.

A little while later, at the same place - the War Memorial - I went to a second ceremony organised by the Quakers at which a wreath of red and white poppies was placed on the memorial, alongside the red poppy wreaths. A silence was observed, we remembered the dead and considered how we might work toward peace.

After the first ceremony had finished, people respectfully approached the war memorial to look at the wreaths and wooden crosses which had been placed there. And a bunch of about a dozen EDL supporters took it upon themselves to pose and posture on the memorial, making 'patriotic' V signs for their mates to take photos of them. There was no shouting or swearing and definitely no respect - their body language was enough - and I took great comfort from hearing an ex serviceman telling them - politely and quietly - to fuck off.