Mary Reid

Over twenty years ago I remember going along to the  primary schools' Folk Dance Festival to watch my own sons taking part.  The event has thrived and grown since then. It was great seeing so many children dancing and enjoying themselves yesterday.

Several schools had worked on quite challenging maypole dances as well. I recalled taking part in a maypole dance when I was a child, and getting into trouble for making a mistake and messing up the pattern.  The teachers yesterday were much more encouraging - and forgiving.

On Sunday afternoon I had represented Kingston at the Civic Service for the Mayor of Elmbridge, Cllr Victor Eldridge. It was hot, but he had bravely turned up in his robes.

Then yesterday evening I was invited, in my own right, to a reception hosted by The Speaker of the House of Commons in Speaker's House. This has a stunning suite of rooms, all decorated in the Victorian Gothic style that works so well throughout the Palace of Westminster. The final room contains a magnificent four poster bed, which is where the monarch is supposed to sleep the night before a coronation.

The reception was held by the Hansard Society, and I have been involved in a number of e-democracy projects with them. It was good to meet up with several of the movers and shakers in democratic participation.