The Music of Love - Is Ska.

I went to my eldest son's wedding last week; many of you will know this as you were also there. I love weddings, not because of some schmaltzy, teary-eyed romanticism but because it's a happy occasion where families get together and have a party which includes the very young and the very old. Of course, it's also a time to raise old grievances and re-open old arguments but that's the joy of families and it generally doesn't mar the proceedings, not in my family anyway; they are quite a cheerful, laid back bunch on the whole. 

I have been to many weddings over the years including two of my own. I can remember when I was young, sliding round on my knees on the wooden floor with my brother and cousins and playing under the tables. We were probably being a real nuisance but I was having a whale of a time. When I was older, I remember going to weddings and hoping I was going to get off with a girl (hopefully not related). It is a well-known fact that everyone pulls at weddings so even I might be in with a chance. There are not many times when you can drink too much and dad-dance to your hearts content, weddings is one of those occasions. 

Every wedding I have been to has been different, and all of them are memorable; unfortunately, not always for the right reasons. But even when adversity strikes the general goodwill sees us through and I have never been to a wedding where a fight has broken out. That's not true if christenings unfortunately. They tend to follow a pattern where the young drink too much, the older folk and very young children fall asleep regardless of how loud the music is and the mothers and grandmothers start surreptitiously clearing up near the end as a signal that it's time to go home.

The Wedding last week had many memorable moments including the Bride in full regalia singing with the choir in the church, The eccentric vicar and his multi-coloured shoes, the bass and drums accompanying the hymns rather than the more traditional organ. The bride and groom dancing up the aisle to ska music and many others including Joe's fabulous dancing, no-one dances like Joe. I am sure everyone has their own memories that will last forever. 

A couple of years ago I met my dad's cousin Alfie; I didn't even know he existed. Alfie got in touch with my dad again after several years and they had been chatting on the phone. Poor old Alfie is not very well, he had a stroke and lost the use of his right side. He is practically house bound and relies on daily visits from carers. He lives in a tiny one-bedroomed council flat somewhere in the back end of West Drayton where we went to visit him. As we were standing in his dark and musty front room he looked at me and said, I remember your wedding, you played ' Nights in White Satin, A good wedding that.' He was right, we did, but I didn't even know he was there. Thirty years on and he can still remember the songs we played at my first wedding and that's why I love them. I am going to another one next month where I shall be a taking up the mantle of Best Man, roll on May the 25th. 

                         ** To Alex and Beth - all our love for the future **