Claridges rings to sounds of the Red Flag

MORNING Star readers may be amused to know that the Red Flag was played at Claridge's on Monday June 30.

I was given as an 80th birthday present a voucher for tea for two at London's premier hotel.

While Betty and I were enjoying a blend of Ceylon and Indian - one of the 30 teas on offer - and our scones, finger sandwiches and cakes, I asked the musicians if they did requests.

"Yes," they said. So I asked: "Can you do the Red Flag?"

The double-bass player looked completely blank, so I attempted to sing it. The pianist seemed to know it and started to play and the double-bass player soon joined in.

It was perhaps the first time that our working class anthem had been played at the ruling class's top hotel.

CHRIS BIRCH
London SW6