Heroes remembered

I travelled to London for the annual ceremony to remember those brave people who came from all over the world to fight fascism in Spain in the Thirties.

Just one British member of the International Brigade is still alive, and he lives in Australia. But at today's ceremony was at least one of the surviving Basque child refugees who fled to Britain. It was a great pleasure to meet Hermanio and chat with him about his life.

The red, yellow and murrey of the republican flag was everywhere to be seen, Spanish music played and I heard the word 'bienvenido' countless times, as well as the republican slogan, 'No pasaran!' ('They shall not pass')

Among the speeches was a passionate address by The Guardian's Owen Jones, which is well worth reading here: http://bit.ly/1CjcARB.

After the formalities, in Jubilee Gardens, next to the London Eye, everyone headed for a nearby pub that had been taken over for the afternoon.

It was great to meet people from all walks of life, from across the country and beyond, over a pint or two. An excellent day.