Singing In The Rain.

by Sarah-Jane Hollands

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(Alternative title - Land of Hope and Glory, by Mother of the Three!)

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Last night I was lucky enough to experience Proms in the Park, for the first time.

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Having watched enviously on TV in previous years, as assorted folk leapt around the Royal Albert Hall (RAH), celebrating all that is good and true about this fine country, this year I grabbed at the opportunity to join in the festivities myself.

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Alright, so it wasn't within the confines of the splendid Royal Albert Hall, but it was very close by - just over the road in fact, in Hyde Park.

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The only clouds on the horizon were the predictions from the Met Office. I know the cricket types among us had been praying for a downpour, but surely once the cricketing day was over, things would brighten up?

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They wouldn't! Myself and my tribe arrived shortly after 6.30pm and the dark clouds were starting to gather.

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Hyde Park was already brimming over with people, more Union Flags than I had ever seen in my life and assorted picnics and makeshift rain shelters. This is the kind of thing we British do best!

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A quick trip to the merchandise stall and my three children were equipped with brand spanking new Union flags, which they waved vigorously throughout the whole evening. There were flags from many other nations dotted around the place, but I am pleased to report that I didn't see one single EU flag anywhere in Hyde Park and that made me very happy!

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Armed with our flags we set about finding a suitable vantage point to view the evening's proceedings. Not too near the front, but close enough to easily see the big screens onto which the song words would be projected during the live link-up with the RAH for the finale.

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Singing quartet G4 delivered a short set of three songs, which really excited the crowds. As ever, the popular foursome were entertainment and professionalism personified.

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There followed an appearance by the violin playing BBC Young Musician of the Year; two separate sets from classical star Andrea Bottcelli and a lengthy performance from Manchester born superstar, Mick Hucknall.

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All were greeted with rapturous applause and much flag waving.

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At 9.45pm, the moment we had all been really waiting for arrived. The screens cut live to inside the RAH, from where the first notes of 'Land of Hope and Glory' rang out.

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The cheer that went up in Hyde Park made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Everyone sang along heartily, waved their flags tirelessly and the fact that we were all absolutely soaked to the skin really didn't matter any more.

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We were British, (even the foreign nationals became honorary Brits at this point!), we were united and we were singing with pride that was almost tangible.

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Of course, the traditional Sea Songs followed and 'Rule Brittania' provoked a similar response. Hyde Park was awash with Union flags and I'm sure the people inside the Royal Albert Hall could hear the sounds emanating from the park, so vociferous was our singing.

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All too soon, it was time for 'Jerusalem', this year taking on special significance due to earlier events at The Oval. And then, in time-honoured fashion, we all joined in a rousing rendition of the National Anthem and I swear it could be heard in every corner of the land as TV viewers up and down the country stood up and sang along.

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A brief but very impressive firework display rounded off the evening nicely and there were very many happy people splashing in the puddles as they made their way home.

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What an experience! Highly recommended - roll on Proms in the Park, 2006 and I shan't even care if it rains, because after all, what is more British than the rain?

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During the firework display, some people sheltered from the rain beneath umbrellas adorned with the Union flag.