Riders from King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery rehearse complex VE Day routine
The artillery were then seen practising a complex procedure known as a Musical Drive, where mounted gun teams performed choreographed manoeuvres before mock-firing 13-pound First World War-era guns.
Sergeant Paul Renton, 41, from Coventry, told the PA news agency that the unit is training in more complex manoeuvres than those they will perform at the VE Day parade.
A member of The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery prepares the horses (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
'If we can do a Musical Drive, the ceremonial parade is a walk in the park,' he said.
In a Musical Drive, six-horse teams pull wheeled field guns at speed, echoing First World War military traditions, and perform technical moves such as the 'scissor' where gun teams cross.
'We cannot afford to get it wrong,' Sgt Renton said.
'We are the senior regiment of the British army and it is nice to know that.'
Following VE Day, the unit has a long summer ahead which will see them appear at the Royal Windsor Horse Show between May 15 and May 18.
The rehearsals took place at Woolwich Garrison (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
Captain Iain Ritchie, who served in Nato's enhanced forward presence in Estonia, said the VE Day celebrations feel important, given the context of the war in Ukraine.
'Today, I think the sacrifices that those men and women made 80 years ago is even more relevant,' he said.
Captain Ritchie described how his grandfather, who was in the Royal Navy, influenced his ambition to join the forces, saying: 'I have his medals in my office and his pocket watch that he carried with him throughout the war still sits with me today.
'I'm sure VE Day means different things to all the soldiers but, you know, we've got to remember the sacrifices that those men and women made for us.'
Lance Bombardier Harry Hoult, 21, from Leicestershire, will be riding as the lead driver of a gun team in the VE Day parade.
'It's an incredible opportunity for me,' he said.
'My grandad is really proud. He had relatives who would have served in the war.
'He told me how proud he is of me. He is shocked really that people like me, so young, are on parade – front and centre.
'It is a chance of a lifetime,' he added.
A horseshoe is made in the forge (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
Gunner Sallyanne Burberymayes, 27, from Brighton, described how excited her father, Alan, is to see her involved in the historic day, as he also served in the past.
'He is just as passionate as I am about it. He's my number one fan,' she said.
Gunner Burberymayes, who as a first-year apprentice farrier is learning the skilled craft of shoeing cavalry horses, added from her spot in the forge: 'The family are telling people to look out for me on TV.'
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Daily Mail
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Britain's least popular boys names revealed, so is yours one of them?
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'Notably, many of these we often think of as "Dad" names, as a result of them being so popular in the 80s and 90s. 'Now, new parents are searching for more playful and creative names that have unique meanings. We're also seeing an "upcycling" trend emerge, with more people putting a twist on traditional names. For example, "Steve", which was once popular for men, is now being adapted to "Stevie" for a baby girl.' Etsy's research found that parents can be 'put off' by certain baby names if they are overused or if a friend has already taken it to name their child. The company also found that Brits are 25 per cent more likely to name their baby after their grandmother rather than their grandfather. Donald, Barry, Bill, Dale, Gordon, and Esteban are other monikers that parents have fallen out of love with, according to the language learning software Babbel. 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Inspired by one character in the online fantasy game, Huge Mortal Kombat, her husband suggested they name their son Raiden. Continuing, she wrote: 'My son's name is Raiden. Yes, I know! 'And on top of that we aren't huge mortal kombat fans either! My husband just feels it sounds 'badass' and I desperately wish I would've said no four years ago but here we are. 'I cringe whenever I hear any 'ayden/aiden's' out in the world knowing we contributed to that stupid trend.' In an attempt to bypass the 'cringe' sound in the latter part of the moniker, the mother admitting to calling their son 'Ray. 'When we meet people I tell them his name is Raiden but we call him Ray,' she said. So upset by the name, she asked Redditors whether it would be 'ridiculous' to legally change the four-year-old's moniker. 'Would it be ridiculous to change his legal name to Ray at this point? 'Is the name Raiden as awful as I think it is? Help,' she asked desperately. 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Metro
28 minutes ago
- Metro
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Many suggested Bradley Walsh should present Blind Date in tandem with one of his peers. Rachel Slucock said: 'Bradley Walsh or David Walliams, both would be hilarious,' and Anjii Cooper wrote: 'Bradley Walsh or Lee Mack, they would have a laugh'. Melle John added: 'It can only be Bradley Walsh or Stephen Mulhern. Yes they do get all the jobs. Cause they're good.' Speaking of Stephen Mulhern, the presenter was named by several Metro readers as their ideal Blind Date host. He's previously presented Dancing on Ice and Britain's Got More Talent, and is no stranger to a game show reboot, as the presenter of revived versions of Catchphrase and Deal or No Deal. Recommending him for Blind Date, Dave Butler said: 'Stephen Mulhurn, funny man BUT knows where to draw the line.' Victoria Hamilton echoed: 'Stephen Mulhern would be amazing at this,' while Tracy Purches suggested, 'Stephen Mulhern with the narrator from Come Dine with Me as 'our Graham''. 'Our Graham' was how Cilla referred to Graham Skidmore, who provided the voice-over for Blind Date. He died in 2021 at age 90. Jane McDonald, who fans may recognise from ITV's Loose Women as well as her Channel 5 travel show, Cruising with Jane McDonald, is another popular choice. Anne-Sarah Cassidy said: 'Jane McDonald would do a brilliant job,' and Tina Smith echoed, 'Jane McDonald would be great'. Carol Davies simply said: 'I think Jane McDonald would fit the part'. Jane has most recently hosted the British Soap Awards on ITV on June 5. And plenty of other popular presenters were named by Blind Date fans too. June Rae Elvidge said: 'First I thought Graham Norton, but for a laugh I thought how about Jeremy Clarkson? Or even Richard Hammond…it might be worth a giggle'. IshamaelSunSoar added: 'Davina [McCall] would be my first choice but would like to see Holly [Willoughby] come back and do more TV too'. And Paul Stables wrote: 'Claudia Winkleman, love her sense of humour on Strictly, she makes that show. You'll never replace Cilla though, that scouse/northern humour.' Paul certainly isn't the only Blind Date fan who felt no one could live up to the iconic Cilla Black, who passed away age 72 in 2015. Carl Turner said: 'No one is good enough to replace OUR CILLA… She was everything that kept us glued to our TV screens every Saturday night'. More Trending Samantha Cunningham agreed, writing: 'Can't imagine anybody being as good as our Cilla'. Meanwhile, others were keen to see fresh faces host the revival. Cindy Sanderson said: 'Someone totally new!! Get some open auditions out there, we need fresh new talent!' View More » And Karen King echoed: 'A fresh new up and coming presenter. Give them a chance to show their talent. Stop giving the new roles to already set up presenters.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'You'll never replace Cilla': Blind Date fans reveal true feelings about reboot MORE: Race Across The World fans moved as episode honours Sam Gardiner after death aged 24 MORE: Love Island fans devastated over lack of tribute to Caroline Flack in 10-year special
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Australian astounded after visiting UK as he says Brits are 'built differently'
An Australian who visited the UK said Brits are "built differently", and there's a key reason why. He was left astounded after stopping by as he ventured on a trip to Venice An Australian who visited the UK was left astounded when he touched down in the airport. Liam Dowling was left totally floored by one thing when he landed on British soil, and claimed there's a specific reason why Brits are "built differently" to other people around the world. Liam's video has gone viral after he shared it on TikTok and his explanation left people in total hysterics. In the clip, he admitted he was travelling to Venice, but stopped at an airport in the UK on his travels and, when he called by the Wetherspoons, he couldn't get over one thing. In the video, he said: "I'm here at the Spoons airport, on my way to Venice. It's 5am - there's not a single person in here not drinking. It's 5am. "I feel like in Aus, we kind of wait until like 7am/8am - you get some looks if you're drinking in the airport at 5am. No one here gives a f***. "I reckon you could come here at 4am, and it would not matter. Like, Britian just - they don't care. Maybe it's the Europe/Aus thing, but everyone here is boozing and I love it. Bit too early for me though, so, I'm just going to stick to my coffee." The video has been viewed over 100,000 times since it's been shared, and people have been left gobsmacked by it. Natually, some Brits just couldn't stop laughing. One said: "God forbid a nation has hobbies." Another wrote: "Time doesn't exist in the airport or on Christmas Day." A third replied: "I'm Polish (we're infamous for drinking a lot) and I have been living in the UK for 10 years, but even I can't hack how they do it. Brunch time, 11ish, I can get, but 5am is crazy business." Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: "Got to a NY airport at 6am. Asked for a Bacardi and they said no alcohol til midday. I was gobsmacked." One more also quipped: "Spoons in Birmingham airport was absolutely rammed at 2am when I last went." People had all sorts of stories about drinking at airports, but many seemed to agree on one idea - time doesn't exist when you're about to hop on a plane. Many Brits couldn't help but laugh in the comments, with a cheeky pre-flight tipple appearing to be the norm for many - no matter what time it may be. Thoughts and theories were super varied, but many Brits couldn't help but make jokes about it. The video really did make many people chuckle. Another wrote: "If you think about it, 5am is just really late at night. 7am would be more unacceptable, as I consider that morning. Regardless of time though, if I'm at an airport, then I'm at Spoons drinking." One more added: "Every time I fly from Manchester Airport, I choose as early as I can 4am/5am, grab a burger and sit in the bar with a few pints and watch the planes until my gate opens. Like my father, and my father's father." Meanwhile, someone else chimed in with: "Time does not exist in airports. Except the time you've got to catch your flight - that one's important."
