The Manchester Day Parade

The longer I live in Manchester, the more I love it. Today was the Manchester Day parade. The first I think. There was much nervousness when first suggested many months ago. Would it work? How would people react to it? Would anyone actually do anything for it? I hadn't seen much about it, and didn't see any advertising of it. But one of my patients is leading a drum and percussion band and I promised to go along to see him.

It is Father's day today. One of two days in the year when dad gets to choose. The other, of course is my birthday. So today I chose to have lunch in Castlefield before going on to the parade. It is a lovely bright sunny day, and we catch the bus into town. A short walk through the centre and along the canal, and we emerge at Dukes 92. The place is packed, but amazingly there's a table right in the sun. A BBQ is on , so that's what we go for. The meal is over priced and awful, but it's such a nice day we don't really mind. It must be awful being famous and not being able to go out into town on such an occasion, and just taking in the atmosphere.

Note to self - get BBQ back.

Then on to Deansagate. There are thousands of people lining the street. Many many more than I was expecting. As we walk past a man in a yellow jacket, he calls 'doctor Benett. You're my doctor init'. I shake his hand a try to remember if I've ever seen him. He does look familiar, but I can't recall his name.

'See what I mean about being famous' I whisper to Rachel.

As the parade begins a sense of excitement spreads through the crowd. Everyone stands just a bit taller. Well we might, for the procession lasts over a hour, with too many exhibits to count, but may be thirty or more. There's a Chinese dragon and further on a tiger, Scots bag pipes, Irish dances, Jamaican calypso amongst many others. The Empires' Storm Troopers at one point march menacingly down the main street led by Darth Vader himself. They are followed by a bus carrying what looks like a load of Christian feminists singing something that is totally drowned out by the rest of the noise.

My patients' troop also took the parade by storm. Their rhythmical drums being lead by Samba dancers. Their brass section is conducted, rather incongruously, by a white man in a suit.

The whole spectacle was magnificent. A brilliant tribute to Manchester and it's people. And the weather helped for once. I love Manchester.