Pageantry versus community

Today was one of contrasts- a morning spent watching the Coronation of Charles 3rd on television and an evening at the Scottish finalists for best community play of the year. 
 
The Coronation, of course, was a grand spectacle, a pageantry par excellence though I could not  help wondering if this is the last Coronation this country will ever see on such a grand scale. It did feel like anachronism from a bygone age with little relevance to the world we live in today.
 
The response in Scotland to the Coronation has been muted.
A walk through Bridge of Allan this afternoon revealed only one shop (see extra) Strathcarron hospice with a few flags strung across their windows.
 
 
At the other end of the scale we attended a community event - the Scottish Final of the Scottish Community Drama Festival One Act Plays at the Macrobert Arts centre.
 
In the normal course of events I would never have gone but  Fiona Black, a friend’s sister, wrote and directed, , the Inverness Players, Florians , in Super Seniors Keep Fit Class.
 
Guess which we both preferred? the community event.
 
Photo: 
Striding on stage to collect the award for best Scottish one act play is Shirley Angus, director of Kirkintilloch Players for “The Beaches of St Valery”.
 
This will go forward to the British Finals next month.