On 17 April 2013, I along with many others went to central London to pay our respects to Margaret Thatcher, whose funeral took place at St Paul’s Cathedral. Arriving at Blackfriars Station at 9am, I found a good position to view the procession leaning on the railings at Ludgate Circus.
This also happened to be the spot one of the main protests was located. But every time the protesters tried to chant, the crowd drowned it out with respectful applause. All in all, it was a very dignified and moving experience.
Margaret Thatcher’s coffin passes through Ludgate Circus
9:06 am – I have arrived
9:07 am – looking across Ludgate Circus – the protesters will stand along these barriers
9:17 am: In the centre war veterans are standing on Farringdon Street.
9:26 am. A protester raises a placard.
9:33 am: The veterans had this flag with them. I wasn’t able to make out what was written on it.
9:35: more placards arrive
9.38: panoramic image of Ludgate Circus.
9.39: panoramic image of Ludgate Circus.
9:40: wider panoramic shot of Ludgate Circus. Some naval personnel cross the road.
9:40: the column comes to a halt
9:41: close up of the protest
9:45: towards the protest.s
9:53: A band approaches
9:55: More placards at the protest
9:56: the band arrives
9:56: Panoramic shot of the band as it crosses Ludgate Circus
9:56: Naval personnel cross Ludgate Circus
9:59: The Queen’s Guard approaches. A person next to me explains that you can tell the precise regiment by the design of the emblem on their collars.
9:59: The band has crossed Ludgate Circus
9:59: a group of soldiers stops, to guard the route.
9:59: The soldiers are moved into position.
10:00: Soldiers continue to move
10:00: Glad we have the soldiers to protect us from the scary Anarchists…
10:01 Panorama of Ludgate Circus
10:06: Soldier guards us from the protesters.
10:09: Two horses cross Ludgate Circus
10:14: A military band arrives
10:15: continues up Farringdon Street
10:15 and round onto Ludgate Hill
10:16: Towards the protestors
10:35: Panorama of Ludgate Circus
10:42: One of the protesters, with her back to the road, lifts a child onto her shoulders – also with her back to the road
10:43: View up Fleet Street
10:45: The coffin approaches, preceded by a military band
10:46 Margaret Thatcher’s coffin passes through Ludgate Circus
10:46: The coffin crosses Ludgate Circus.
10:47: The coffin crosses Ludgate Circus. Note in the front, someone clapping: the protest started chanting, which was drowned out by respectful clapping.
10:48: As the coffin passed, a large number of police in fluorescent jackets, carrying riot helmets, ran across to the protest.
11:05 The gun carriage heads back towards Westminster
11:14: Naval personnel march back towards Westminster
