A Beautiful Summer's Day Behind The Scenes at the Houses of Parliament

London was sparkling in the sun and everyone was smiling because of it.

I was in the fortunate position of going to the House of Commons for a reception related to my work.  I say fortunate because a) it is a magnificent building and b) because it wasn't my first time so I wasn't over excited and therefore really able to enjoy it.

Approaching along Mill Bank I came to the first security guard, looking after the exit for vehicles.  I'd been walking in the sunshine from Tate Britain, (where I was also lucky enough to have lunched with a client),  and stopped at the barrier to change my flats in to heels. 

Tony, immediately made a joke and within seconds we were having a lovely little banter.  He asked me to have a "glass of vino" for him and I promised to oblige.  (Tony I did!).  Thanks, Tony and  

Once inside the House of Commons, the quiet dignity of the building, (despite all the MPs, aides, lobbyists, tourists and school children etc talking and rushing about), imposes itself upon you.  It really is quite majestic.

With the sun shining I was very pleased that today's reception was on the Terrace.  The views of the Thames from here are wonderful.  

The House of Commons has a permanent waiting staff, (as do the House of Lords), and because I have been to receptions there before the always polite staff are starting to recognise me and seem to give me that extra little smile.

One such person was the waitress Susan, ()
who didn't want her picture taken for here but another is the Head Waiter, Patrick.

Now Patrick told me he's from Glasgow but you would never guess it from his "refined" accent.  Thank you Patrick and a thumbs up for always ensuring we're all being well served, for your wonderful memory and for getting each reception in and out on time.  

Now about a year ago I was in the House of Commons for a lunch with an MP.  I then needed to get to a reception at the House of Lords.  Being "just" an MP and not a Lord, he is not "allowed" down the corridor linking the two houses but he asked Carlos who is on reception, (also known as a Door Keeper), to kindly escort me.
 
Carlos did more than that; since I was a bit early for my reception he very kindly gave me a mini tour of the House of Lords.   I wasn't running the blog then so last night, taking the opportunity of being in the House, I nabbed him for a photo at the end of his work, (hence being out of uniform).  Thank you Carlos for my tour, the smiles and for making me feel so welcome

By the time we left Parliament, it was mid evening but being mid June the sun was still out even though the sky was starting to darken.  I took this shot of the Elizabeth Tower, the correct name for the Clock Tower commonly called Big Ben, (which is actually the name of the Great Bell), with just my phone and there's no filter here.  Gosh it was a sparkling evening. 

So to London, here's a    



p.s. I hope I've got that all correct about Big Ben but if I haven't, happy to be corrected here.  Thanks.

A Guest Post from Deborah & Leslie Smith - THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

From Deborah Smith

My dear uncle, Leslie Smith, has been a resident of North London since he moved to the Capital from The Midlands as a young man of 30, back in 1958. Now in his mid-eighties,

Leslie continues to be admirably active in his community – and so it was particularly heartening to hear that the community supported him when he needed it. Here is his story…

“Recently, late on a Friday evening, I was dismayed to discover that my wallet was missing. I had travelled in the afternoon by bus from Finsbury Park, North London to my home in Islington and was unsure whether the wallet was lost or stolen.

I walked again over the streets I had used when leaving the bus, to no avail, and then to Kentish Town police station to report the loss. 


The policewoman on duty was very helpful – straight away calling Cardguard, where my bankcards are insured, so that I could speak to them promptly to report the cards lost with the wallet. She took my name and address and telephone number and shortly after I arrived home 'phoned me to see that I had got there safely, which I thought was most kind. (An EverdayFolk thumbs up and thanks to the policewoman )

The next day I mentioned the lost wallet to my neighbours who immediately offered to lend me some money, though I did not need to take them up on their kind offer, as I had a few US Dollars at home that I was able to change for Sterling at the local post office. The post office cashier was extremely sympathetic and helpful – as was enquiry lady at Archway tube station, where I went next, to purchase a temporary Oyster travelcard, as my senior citizen’s Freedom travel pass was also in my missing wallet. (More EF thanks and thumbs up to the neighbours, the local post office and the enquiry lady at Archway station )

Later that evening I received a very welcome 'phone call from Cardguard to tell me that my wallet had been found and handed in to the London Transport bus garage at Cricklewood.  

I travelled on three buses to reach the bus garage, each time offering my temporary Oyster card to the drivers, while explaining why I didn’t have my senior citizen’s Freedom pass, and each one kindly waived me through without charge.(EF thanks to those drivers

)

At Cricklewood bus garage I found the contents of my wallet to be completely intact. I asked which driver had handed in the wallet as, of course, I wanted to thank him. The manager, though very courteous, said that he could not disclose the driver’s identity. (And a huge EF thanks and thumbs up to the manager and the driver that handed the wallet in )

One hears such stories about impersonal and uncaring behaviour in London, but here is an incident where everyone was completely the opposite: concerned, kind, considerate - and honest.

My heartfelt thanks to them all.”

Leslie Smith

Deborah Smith and her Uncle, Leslie Smith