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Armed forces say thank you to Wootton Bassett
8:50am Monday 13th October 2008
THE people of Wootton Bassett are only too familiar with lining the streets to pay their respects to fallen servicemen.
But this weekend was a chance for the armed forces to give a reciprocal tribute to a community that has never wavered in its support.
The Wootton Bassett Appreciation Parade provided the platform for representatives of the RAF, Army and Royal Navy to thank the people of Wootton Bassett for their dignified behaviour during the dozens of repatriations through the town.
The thousands of smiling faces that lined the High Street were entertained by marching bands, speeches by local dignitaries and flyovers by a Hercules C130 and a Globemaster C17.
Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader presented a parchment scroll to the town’s mayor Mike Leighfield which expressed the “heartfelt gratitude and appreciation” of the armed forces for the people of Wootton Bassett.
Group Captain Neville, station commander at RAF Lyneham, read a message from Princess Anne praising the town’s people.
Speaking after the ceremony, the mayor said he was immensely proud of his community.
He said: “This parade is a wonderful gesture by the armed forces and further cements our very close relationship with them.
“This is a day not just for the people of Wootton Bassett but all across Wiltshire to be proud of how we support the military.
“Hopefully, we can serve as an example to the rest of the country.
“It’s good to see that this has touched people around the country. I spoke to one man who heard about this on the radio and raced over from Bristol. I hope the people of Wootton Bassett feel very proud today, as I know I do.”
John Hutton, the secretary of state for defence, said he felt privileged to have been invited to the ceremony.
He said: “This is my first visit to Wootton Bassett and it’s a wonderful occasion to do so. I think the scenes we have seen today show the respect with which the British people view the armed forces.”
North Wiltshire MP James Gray said it was right that the people of the town were recognised for their dedication.
He said: “The streets have been full come rain or shine for the repatriations and today we have a lovely sunny day and a fantastic ceremony to say thank you to Wootton Bassett for that strong display of friendship.”
Your Say YourSwindon
Taffynut, Old Town says...
11:25am Mon 13 Oct 08
Well done Wootton Bassett for the support and the civic dignitaries for their hard work making this a very very special event, The thanks goes to the service personnel with their commanders, without them we would be a country in turmoil, Thanks to them too. I lift my head up high with such dignified thanks to ALL concerned.
Bobfm, South Marston says...
11:39am Mon 13 Oct 08
My son embarks on another 3 month tour, to heaven knows where. His boat is a Hunter/Killer Submarine whose missions out of necessity are extremely top secret. What it means for families of crews is the lack of news or contact for the entire tour. I am proud of what he does, but I know his mother and I will worry as will his wife and family the whole time he's away.
Shimmie, Wootton Bassett says...
12:17pm Mon 13 Oct 08
Such a shame that our town council were unable to provide the dignitaries with a working PA system. The sound system was awful which meant that practically no-one heard the speeches.
KeepItReal_, Swindon says...
1:33pm Mon 13 Oct 08
KeepItReal_, Swindon says...
1:36pm Mon 13 Oct 08
Bobfm wrote:Maybe if you hadnt sat in the pub and showed some respecgt then you would have seen the real fing.
I am very sad I missed it but working on Sunday made it difficult which is why I was so incensed at the BBC's coverage, which I had on in the pub. My son embarks on another 3 month tour, to heaven knows where. His boat is a Hunter/Killer Submarine whose missions out of necessity are extremely top secret. What it means for families of crews is the lack of news or contact for the entire tour. I am proud of what he does, but I know his mother and I will worry as will his wife and family the whole time he's away.
Steve Bucknell, Wootton Bassett says...
2:42pm Mon 13 Oct 08
I think all of us who have stood on the high street did so without any thought that we might in trun be thanked this way.
I must correct Shimmie - whoever you are - the PA system was not provided by the town council, but by the RAF.
Shimmie, I don't know who you are, but I think you ought to check your facts before throwing criticism around.
Steve Bucknell, Deputy Mayor.
scottyincs, says...
3:03pm Mon 13 Oct 08
However, we were in the car drving from Purton to Stroud and we listened to the bbc wiltshire coverage which was excellent until we lost the signal when we got into the valley near Chalford.
It seems fashionable to knock the bbc at every opportunity, but in this case, especially on a local level, there was no fault to find
Bobfm, South Marston says...
10:57am Tue 14 Oct 08
KeepItReal, I think you must be the only person in Swindon who doesn't appear to know I run a pub, hence the reference to working. I would love to have been there but that wasn't possible.
nansview, Swindon says...
12:36pm Tue 14 Oct 08
Bobfm, South Marston says...
1:24pm Tue 14 Oct 08
We often get staff do's from there.
nansview, Swindon says...
2:40pm Tue 14 Oct 08
Your sayYourSwindon
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A Hercules flies over Wootton Bassett
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Bobfm, South Marston says...
9:25am Mon 13 Oct 08
However what disgusted me was the BBC coverage. They made repeated visits to the town, interviewing people and the 'theme' seemed to be to get those interviewed to say the public weren't supportive, as with the studio interviews.
The worst thing however, is that the fly past was delayed according to the reporter to fit in with the BBC. So we saw the fly past, and I fully expected them to stay and cover the parade, but they didn't, there then followed numerous repeat interviews about the credit crunch, and no disrespect to our American friends, an interview with an American Serviceman, serving in Afganistan.
The BBC yet again show that they are far from a supportive National broadcaster. Well done to Wootten Bassett, at least showing the British people support out troup's even though we may not agree with the various conflicts, something the BBC clearly don't understand.