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[albitz]

The last repatriation has taken place in Wootton Bassett.
There is currently a service taking place in the town to mark the end of the tradition which has grown in recent years.
I have always found the events there quite moving and very dignified, and thinks its a great shame that it has to come to an end. I hope the reasons behind it arent those of cynical politicians, but Im not that hopeful.
I have heard many bereaved families say how they felt very supported by the people who take the time to pay their respects in the town, and it helps them to feel that their relatives didnt die unnoticed,unnappreciated or in vain.
I think the whole country will forever owe a debt of gratitude to the good people of Wootton Bassett, who imo spoke for most of us in this country by showing respect and appreciation  to fallen service personnel upon their return to British soil.

[Lazydocker]

Indeed

Mind you, they have "handed the baton" on to "somewhere in Oxfordshire" according to a TV interview last week

[albitz]

Brise Norton (iirc) near Carterton. There is a purpose built family reception centre to recieve the coffins.The cortege will then leave by an exit which takes it on a route away from the town of Carterton, so no opportunitywill arise to do the same has been done in Wootton Bassett, afaik.
I just wonder if it might be a case of politicians not wanting to watch the real results of their decisions on the news etc ?
I may be wrong,maybe Im too cynical, and I dont claim to know all the facts. :-/

[Lazydocker]

Brise Norton (iirc) near Carterton. There is a purpose built family reception centre to recieve the coffins.The cortege will then leave by an exit which takes it on a route away from the town of Carterton, so no opportunitywill arise to do the same has been done in Wootton Bassett, afaik.
I just wonder if it might be a case of politicians not wanting to watch the real results of their decisions on the news etc ?
I may be wrong,maybe Im too cynical, and I dont claim to know all the facts. :-/

I know that Brize is the new reception centre but I'm led to believe that the decision to nip straight onto the major road network has been changed because of public pressure

Not sure where I heard it but it stuck in my mind so (I think) it was a fairly reliable source :-/

[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  

[Sir Tigger KC]

Your OP was very well put Albs and I for one agree 100% 

[albitz]

Brise Norton (iirc) near Carterton. There is a purpose built family reception centre to recieve the coffins.The cortege will then leave by an exit which takes it on a route away from the town of Carterton, so no opportunitywill arise to do the same has been done in Wootton Bassett, afaik.
I just wonder if it might be a case of politicians not wanting to watch the real results of their decisions on the news etc ?
I may be wrong,maybe Im too cynical, and I dont claim to know all the facts. :-/

I know that Brize is the new reception centre but I'm led to believe that the decision to nip straight onto the major road network has been changed because of public pressure
Not sure where I heard it but it stuck in my mind so (I think) it was a fairly reliable source :-/

Hadnt heard that, but I hope its correct.

[Entwood]

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

[Lazydocker]

Brise Norton (iirc) near Carterton. There is a purpose built family reception centre to recieve the coffins.The cortege will then leave by an exit which takes it on a route away from the town of Carterton, so no opportunitywill arise to do the same has been done in Wootton Bassett, afaik.
I just wonder if it might be a case of politicians not wanting to watch the real results of their decisions on the news etc ?
I may be wrong,maybe Im too cynical, and I dont claim to know all the facts. :-/

I know that Brize is the new reception centre but I'm led to believe that the decision to nip straight onto the major road network has been changed because of public pressure
Not sure where I heard it but it stuck in my mind so (I think) it was a fairly reliable source :-/

Hadnt heard that, but I hope its correct.

I may be wrong :-/ :-/ But I've got a couple of friends who work at Brize, which is where I think I heard it from :-/ :-/

I too hope it's correct. I have many, many friends in the services and 2 of them are off to play in the sand shortly Plus, of course, the serving members and family of OOF

[Lazydocker]

Thanks Entwood, perhaps that's what I heard (memorial garden and viewing area) :-/ :-/ I know (or would like to think) that if the people want to honour our fallen service personnel in the same way as Wooton Bassett have then it will be accommodated as best as possible

[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.

[albitz]

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

Good to know that the "tradition" might just carry on then Nige.
Traffic calming measures - remove them.
Complaints from local traders - they should hang their heads in shame.These fine and often very young people have given their lives for their country for goodness sake. How can a percieved potential loss of some trade be more important than that.

Whatever happens I cant see it being the same as the moving and dignified scenes we have seen from Wootton Basset, and imo they should have left it as it was.

Edit - just read Entwoods explanation of why it had to change.

[Entwood]

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

Good to know that the "tradition" might just carry on then Nige.
Traffic calming measures - remove them.
Complaints from local traders - they should hang their heads in shame.These fine and often very young people have given their lives for their country for goodness sake. How can a percieved potential loss of some trade be more important than that.

Whatever happens I cant see it being the same as the moving and dignified scenes we have seen from Wootton Basset, and imo they should have left it as it was.

Post above explains why that is simply impossible ...

[Lazydocker]

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

Good to know that the "tradition" might just carry on then Nige.
Traffic calming measures - remove them.
Conmplaints from local traders - they should hang their heads in shame.These fine and often very young people have given their lives for their country for goodness sake. How can a percieved potentail loss of some trade be more important than that.

Whatever happens I cant see it being the same as the moving and dignified scenes we have seen from Wootton Basset, and imo they should have left it as it was.

But, as Nige has said, Lyneham is closing and has been for a long time

Just hope, as you do, that the people of Oxfordshire will do the right thing and honour our service personnel

Oh... And Wooton Bassett only started because a member of the RNA saw a convoy coming through and spread the word for the future

[albitz]

Hadnt read Nige,s post before I posted that.