Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[TheBoy]

Inspiring and humbling

[Lazydocker]

Hadnt read Nige,s post before I posted that.

Should have guessed that you were busy typing

[albitz]

Its taking even longer than usual tonight, as my fingers (and everything else ) are tired and sore after todays endevours.

[tunnie]

very moving watching what happens there.

Going from Entwoods description, that the new route will use the by-pass & not the town centre, I can't see it being the same. They cannot exactly stop on the by-pass  :-/

Its right its not being used, going over speed bumps is not the way to come back to the UK, maybe the council should resurface allowing them to go through the town.

[cleggy]

The people of Wootton Basset, have done us and our fallen troups proud. What an acheivement

It is a disgrace that the politicians who sent our young to do their ill considered policies cannot show the same respect as the people of a small village.

Call me sceptical but the only reason that they are now flying into Brize Norton is to take the HEROES return away from the public eye.

WELL DONE to those that cared, and showed a nation how to be grateful and proud  
 

The simple reason the repatriations ever came to Lyneham in the first place, is the same reason they are now RETURNING to Brize Norton, which is legally the designated repatriation centre for the UK.

LYNEHAM IS CLOSING and all the aircraft and support are moving to Brize.. therefore Brize needed a LOT of building work to enable it to prepare for the move. This made Brize an undignified building site so an Act of Parliament (yup .. that serious, I can expand on why it was needed if you wish) was passed to make Lyneham the TEMPORARY repatriation centre whilst the work was done in order to maintain dignity. The Wootton Bassett tribute started with just a very few folk and grew and grew. The work at Brize is now complete, and Lyneham is still closing, so the repatriations are returning to Brize..... seemples

No conspiracy no matter how hard you try and make one.

I am grateful for this long and detailed explanation, in fact a friend of mine lives in a cottage at the end of the runnway At Brize Norton in  Ewelme, and cofirms the building works.
However I still feel that the tribute paid by the public in Wootton Basset has been ignored by the powers that be. I am sure it doesn't take much to keep a runway open for the simple purpose of repatriation.
I do hope this tribute continues in some form, we the public do care, and I am sure the relatives do.

[tunnie]

The people of Wootton Basset, have done us and our fallen troups proud. What an acheivement

It is a disgrace that the politicians who sent our young to do their ill considered policies cannot show the same respect as the people of a small village.

Call me sceptical but the only reason that they are now flying into Brize Norton is to take the HEROES return away from the public eye.

WELL DONE to those that cared, and showed a nation how to be grateful and proud  
 

The simple reason the repatriations ever came to Lyneham in the first place, is the same reason they are now RETURNING to Brize Norton, which is legally the designated repatriation centre for the UK.

LYNEHAM IS CLOSING and all the aircraft and support are moving to Brize.. therefore Brize needed a LOT of building work to enable it to prepare for the move. This made Brize an undignified building site so an Act of Parliament (yup .. that serious, I can expand on why it was needed if you wish) was passed to make Lyneham the TEMPORARY repatriation centre whilst the work was done in order to maintain dignity. The Wootton Bassett tribute started with just a very few folk and grew and grew. The work at Brize is now complete, and Lyneham is still closing, so the repatriations are returning to Brize..... seemples

No conspiracy no matter how hard you try and make one.

I am grateful for this long and detailed explanation, in fact a friend of mine lives in a cottage at the end of the runnway At Brize Norton in  Ewelme, and cofirms the building works.
However I still feel that the tribute paid by the public in Wootton Basset has been ignored by the powers that be. I am sure it doesn't take much to keep a runway open for the simple purpose of repatriation.
I do hope this tribute continues in some form, we the public do care, and I am sure the relatives do.

Not true:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-12757984

[Lazydocker]

The people of Wootton Basset, have done us and our fallen troups proud. What an acheivement

It is a disgrace that the politicians who sent our young to do their ill considered policies cannot show the same respect as the people of a small village.

Call me sceptical but the only reason that they are now flying into Brize Norton is to take the HEROES return away from the public eye.

WELL DONE to those that cared, and showed a nation how to be grateful and proud  
 

The simple reason the repatriations ever came to Lyneham in the first place, is the same reason they are now RETURNING to Brize Norton, which is legally the designated repatriation centre for the UK.

LYNEHAM IS CLOSING and all the aircraft and support are moving to Brize.. therefore Brize needed a LOT of building work to enable it to prepare for the move. This made Brize an undignified building site so an Act of Parliament (yup .. that serious, I can expand on why it was needed if you wish) was passed to make Lyneham the TEMPORARY repatriation centre whilst the work was done in order to maintain dignity. The Wootton Bassett tribute started with just a very few folk and grew and grew. The work at Brize is now complete, and Lyneham is still closing, so the repatriations are returning to Brize..... seemples

No conspiracy no matter how hard you try and make one.

I am grateful for this long and detailed explanation, in fact a friend of mine lives in a cottage at the end of the runnway At Brize Norton in  Ewelme, and cofirms the building works.
However I still feel that the tribute paid by the public in Wootton Basset has been ignored by the powers that be. I am sure it doesn't take much to keep a runway open for the simple purpose of repatriation.
I do hope this tribute continues in some form, we the public do care, and I am sure the relatives do.

I'm guessing that you haven't really thought that comment through? :-/

It's not just a runway is it? Support staff, fuelling staff, maintenance staff, emergency services, etc, etc, etc

[cleggy]

The people of Wootton Basset, have done us and our fallen troups proud. What an acheivement

It is a disgrace that the politicians who sent our young to do their ill considered policies cannot show the same respect as the people of a small village.

Call me sceptical but the only reason that they are now flying into Brize Norton is to take the HEROES return away from the public eye.

WELL DONE to those that cared, and showed a nation how to be grateful and proud  
 

The simple reason the repatriations ever came to Lyneham in the first place, is the same reason they are now RETURNING to Brize Norton, which is legally the designated repatriation centre for the UK.

LYNEHAM IS CLOSING and all the aircraft and support are moving to Brize.. therefore Brize needed a LOT of building work to enable it to prepare for the move. This made Brize an undignified building site so an Act of Parliament (yup .. that serious, I can expand on why it was needed if you wish) was passed to make Lyneham the TEMPORARY repatriation centre whilst the work was done in order to maintain dignity. The Wootton Bassett tribute started with just a very few folk and grew and grew. The work at Brize is now complete, and Lyneham is still closing, so the repatriations are returning to Brize..... seemples

No conspiracy no matter how hard you try and make one.

I am grateful for this long and detailed explanation, in fact a friend of mine lives in a cottage at the end of the runnway At Brize Norton in  Ewelme, and cofirms the building works.
However I still feel that the tribute paid by the public in Wootton Basset has been ignored by the powers that be. I am sure it doesn't take much to keep a runway open for the simple purpose of repatriation.
I do hope this tribute continues in some form, we the public do care, and I am sure the relatives do.

I'm guessing that you haven't really thought that comment through? :-/

It's not just a runway is it? Support staff, fuelling staff, maintenance staff, emergency services, etc, etc, etc

Rubbish! you land a plane, empty it and fly out again, with granted a few support staff. It ain't rocket science

Ask the public what they feel is important. Keep it open for the cost or lose the emotion, and pride.

[Entwood]

The people of Wootton Basset, have done us and our fallen troups proud. What an acheivement

It is a disgrace that the politicians who sent our young to do their ill considered policies cannot show the same respect as the people of a small village.

Call me sceptical but the only reason that they are now flying into Brize Norton is to take the HEROES return away from the public eye.

WELL DONE to those that cared, and showed a nation how to be grateful and proud  
 

The simple reason the repatriations ever came to Lyneham in the first place, is the same reason they are now RETURNING to Brize Norton, which is legally the designated repatriation centre for the UK.

LYNEHAM IS CLOSING and all the aircraft and support are moving to Brize.. therefore Brize needed a LOT of building work to enable it to prepare for the move. This made Brize an undignified building site so an Act of Parliament (yup .. that serious, I can expand on why it was needed if you wish) was passed to make Lyneham the TEMPORARY repatriation centre whilst the work was done in order to maintain dignity. The Wootton Bassett tribute started with just a very few folk and grew and grew. The work at Brize is now complete, and Lyneham is still closing, so the repatriations are returning to Brize..... seemples

No conspiracy no matter how hard you try and make one.

I am grateful for this long and detailed explanation, in fact a friend of mine lives in a cottage at the end of the runnway At Brize Norton in  Ewelme, and cofirms the building works.
However I still feel that the tribute paid by the public in Wootton Basset has been ignored by the powers that be. I am sure it doesn't take much to keep a runway open for the simple purpose of repatriation.
I do hope this tribute continues in some form, we the public do care, and I am sure the relatives do.

I'm guessing that you haven't really thought that comment through? :-/

It's not just a runway is it? Support staff, fuelling staff, maintenance staff, emergency services, etc, etc, etc

Rubbish! you land a plane, empty it and fly out again, with granted a few support staff. It ain't rocket science

Ask the public what they feel is important. Keep it open for the cost or lose the emotion, and pride.

I'm afraid that is what you are spouting.

To operate an airfield capable of accepting a C17 (which all repatriations are done by) takes a little more than a guy in a hi-vis jacket shooing of the birds/sweeping the crap of the runway.

Of course .. if your next idea is to do the repatriations in a Cessna then you only have to figure a way to get the coffins in and the fuel for a 16 hour flight.

There's a real world out there .... decisons are made for real reasons .. if you don't know don't guess .. it just makes you look daft.

[tunnie]

What happens if the plane needs to make an Emergency landing, who will be there, fire brigade? You need special equipment to deal with aircraft fires.

Who's going to re-fuel it? Local BP?

Who is going to make service checks to the aircraft, who's going to chock the wheels.

Who is going to manage take off's and landings to make sure no one bumps into each other?

Running an airport and a massive operation like that, takes a lot of resources & money.

You have not mentioned my post, about failed to be recognised, when they are actually getting a Royal title for their efforts 

[Gaffers]

At Brize Norton there is a purpose built "Repatriation Centre" with both religous and non-secular facilities, counselling facilities for the families, as well as numerous other welfare facilities.

After the ceremonies the corteges will leave by a special gate and depart for Oxford. The reason they will not pass down Carterton High Street is two fold..... the High Street has many traffic calming points (sleeping policemen) which would make the trip rather undignified ... and complaints from traders

For that reason the by-pass will be used, along which has been constructed a "memorial garden" and a "viewing" point.

IF, I repeat, IF the folk of Carterton wish to honour the fallen in the same way Bassett has, they only need to walk about 1/4 mile from the town centre to the bypass.

Best link I can find...

http://www.oxfordjournal.co.uk/news/travel/3958-repatriation-route-to-miss-carterton-town-centre

It's not just the people of Carterton who are welcome to pay their respects, everyone is able to sacrifice a little bit of their time to honour those who have fallen

[Bionic]

My big problem is why this has been forced to happen. Is it because the public has shown the way repatriations should be conducted and embarrassed the government into action? Considering that the good people of Wooton Bassett did all of it at their own expense there  can only be the reason I have outlined.
Their new repatriation policy to a different venue smacks of a cover up to save face.  Our returning heroes deserve far better!

[Gaffers]

My big problem is why this has been forced to happen. Is it because the public has shown the way repatriations should be conducted and embarrassed the government into action? Considering that the good people of Wooton Bassett did all of it at their own expense there  can only be the reason I have outlined.
Their new repatriation policy to a different venue smacks of a cover up to save face.  Our returning heroes deserve far better!

Speaking from inside the devil as it were I am afraid your comment is a little.misguided.  I'm not blaming you for thinking that way, there are a number of leeches in the media pulling on the patriotic heartstrings of the nation.

The closure of RAF Lynham has been on the cards since before I joined the military and building at Brize to accomodate all the planes, staff and equipment that will move from Lynham started long before 2005.  The heartwarming public displays in Wooton Bassett did not start until 2007.

A purpose built repriation center has been built which will allow a lot more of the family to come and.grieve.  previously at Lynham only a small number of close family could attend and they were allowed only to watch.  Now they have a space to get close to their loved ones in the privacy of a center.  This is important, having gone through a very public personal loss the one thing I resented was that my grief was on public display.

My only negative thought was that the new arrangements would not allow the public to display their respect and grief.  This resulted in a change and this has now been sorted. 

How often do you stop for a funeral.precession, removing hats and not overtaking out of respect?  I see it happening less and less on a regular basis.  Wooton Bassett are rightfully proud of their actions in respecting our fallen.  But they also feel now is a good time to pass.on the mantle.  They are not sick of doing what they do.  But trust me, there is only so much grief and sadness a person a place a town can take.

[tigers_gonads]

I must admit that the people of Wootton Bassett have restored a little faith in the people of this country with there unselfish acts.
Its not often I get a lump in my throat when I watch the tv but this is one of them.

As for lynham, the MOD have been talking about moving the Herc's out of there for 20 years to my knowledge but they just kept managing to dodge the bullet so to speak.
I will give it 10 years and the RAF will be lucky to have 5 frontline bases 

You can opperate a C17 out of most strips of concreate that is long enough and the aircrew are more then capable of doing that but believe me, nothing flys in or out of UK airspace without following CAA rules.  i.e.  emergency personel / ground support / and the rather customs / coppers 

I have not been down in that neck of the woods for about 25 years but I look forward to visiting Royal Wootton Bassett one day 

[Entwood]

I must admit that the people of Wootton Bassett have restored a little faith in the people of this country with there unselfish acts.
Its not often I get a lump in my throat when I watch the tv but this is one of them.

As for lynham, the MOD have been talking about moving the Herc's out of there for 20 years to my knowledge but they just kept managing to dodge the bullet so to speak.
I will give it 10 years and the RAF will be lucky to have 5 frontline bases 

You can opperate a C17 out of most strips of concreate that is long enough and the aircrew are more then capable of doing that but believe me, nothing flys in or out of UK airspace without following CAA rules.  i.e.  emergency personel / ground support / and the rather customs / coppers 

I have not been down in that neck of the woods for about 25 years but I look forward to visiting Royal Wootton Bassett one day 

....  and you and any other OOFers will always be welcome for a coffee or a beer... just let me know when ....