Hi fellow Listers, Good that more are joining in with memories of the processions and marches that they were involved in when young. Rhoda, you were so right about a general falling off in smartness in the participants of so many events. My sister and I belonged to the Girls' Life Brigade, and were turned out very smartly for Church Parades and anything else that came up. I remember lining the route when Princess Elizabeth visited Coventry, to open the new Broadgate in1948. She wore a lime green fullskirted coat with a peplum effect. Nicely concealing as it was soon announced that she was expecting a child, (Prince Charles) and a refreshing contrast in colour and style from the austerity we were used to. With coupons and shortages we still seemed to managea smart turnout. During the war itself full GLB. uniform was excused and the light blue PT. uniform dress, worn with white ankle socks, and a beret, was acceptable. How proud I was when my mother bought me the full uniform dress of navy blue, which was worn with black silk stockings. I rather fancied myself in those, having a neat pair of ankles in those days! It is a shame that general smartness and pride in appearance seems to have slipped so badly. In contrast our local newspapers show photographs of the rapidly dwindling war veterans, at the open-air, (and often dawn), services on Remembrance Day and Anzac Day. Most setting an example in their marching, and others limping valiently along. All are smartly turned out, wearing their medals with pride---and occasionally there is a young boy marching in place of his deceased grandfather or gt.grandfather, and displaying his medals. As to the wearing of white at Whitsun, obviously this tradition was more strongly observeved in some areas than others. My guess is that it was perpetuated most strongly in the North and perhaps the Midlands. Carole's description would be of a Whit Sunday procession. Thinking about it the other day, I mused on the dressing up for the Whitsun Parades at the turn of the 19th century. So many people on the borders of poverty, and yet they wore these lovely white dresses! That is the case of young Florrie Lucas, whose family were near the poverty line, and yet she had the most gorgeous outfit---an intricately decorated dress and a veil. Of course grandma was a trained tailoress and dressmaker and probably could achieve miracles with scraps and offcuts from the street markets. Grandma's eyesight had been ruined when sewing by candlelight so I only saw the faint echoes of her talent, as a little girl in the 1930s.(If anyone is interested in what little Florrie wore, I am happy to send a photo offlist). Many of these old customs seem to have fizzled out or become pale watered-down apologies of themselves. It is perhaps a reflection of our times, with the emphasis being based on a wider community. Old values have been replaced---some, unfortunately, others for the better! With communities not being so tightly adhesive people are not so concerned with pride, and keeping up appearances. My paternal grandmother was a good example of a "proud" woman---with neat appearance, fabulous colouring and complexion and guardsman deportment. Her bread and butter was cut so thin that it was almost transparent. She had been in service and liked things nice! I am betting that in her early married life to George she had a struggle to keep up her standards---but she won! However her gt. grandchildren won't let me near a bread knife, as I am a total disaster when it comes to slicing bread! Regards, Muriel. :>)