Q. I am getting married next year and I read with interest your recent correspondence concerning public medal-wearing. I am a former Royal Auxiliary Air Force member and had hoped to wed in uniform. Sadly however, several years ago forces beyond my control meant I had to retire from the RAuxAF, and so I cannot now wear uniform, having returned it to Her Majesty. Could you ask your regimental adjutant friend what his views are on wearing my medals at such a very public celebration, please?
M.S., by email
A. I think the previous advice holds: ‘I would never wear medals when attending a funeral or memorial service. In fact, the only times I would wear medals in plain clothes are Remembrance Sunday, Black Sunday, and perhaps at some sort of national memorial event.’ Clearly he rules out wearing them at a wedding as well.
Q. With reference to your recent correspondence on the subject, may I make a suggestion regarding bringing good wine to a friend’s house, when you want to make sure that they open it, rather than putting it in a cupboard and serving you with their own plonk? Ring beforehand saying, ‘I would like to contribute some wine. What are you serving? I will bring something appropriate.’
H.B., Pencaitland, Scotland
A. You are right that in this way your hosts would be bound to open up. Indeed, you could even bring it pre-chambréd. However, despite money being in short supply at the moment, some hosts might be chippy at the implied insult so you must tread carefully.
Q. My daily also works part-time as a cleaner at a local hotel where she has picked up the habit of folding the front sheets of loo paper into a triangle and tucking them back into the roll.
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