It’s simply amazing how one thing will lead to another once one starts following a trail.

A year ago I asked Angie Reeves, secretary of the Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce, to write a My Day piece for Lifestories, which she did, but to my shame, I did not put it on the site straight away. One thing led to another and her contribution was completely overlooked.

Well, when I bumped into Angie in Swindon a year later, I felt extremely embarrassed by my behaviour. She explained that she would have to leave the business lunch we were attending by 2pm at the latest and when I asked why, she explained that the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were visiting Wootton Bassett that very afternoon.

They, it seemed, were to attend the official unveiling of a Union Jack donated to the town, for the moving ceremonies they organise every time a British soldier killed in Afghanistan is repatriated through nearby RAF Lynham.

Angie and several of her Chamber colleagues had been invited to attend the ceremony and to meet the Royals at a reception afterwards as a thank you for the active part they play in the proceedings.

I asked her if, despite my failure to publish her last Lifestories contribution, she would care to do another about that very day which was obviously going to be one she would always remember.

Angie agreed and you will probably have just read her account which tells how the simple and spontaneous mark of respect shown by the caring people of Wootton Bassett has now turned into a major tribute for all those extremely brave young men.

However, this story would not be quite complete without telling how that flagpole came to be donated so we have included a contribution from the donor Cliff Newton in the Lifestories section.

Appearing shortly will be a My Day contribution from Lord (Paddy) Ashdown and a Cameos piece including internationally acclaimed authoress Jilly Cooper