Ride of Respect to go ahead despite objections (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Ride of Respect to go ahead despite objections
8:40pm Monday 13th February 2012 in News
Last year's Ride of Respect
THOUSANDS of motorcyclists paying their respects to fallen servicemen will be descending on Royal Wootton Bassett next month, despite objections from people across the town.
Permission has been granted by Wiltshire Council to close High Street on March 18 to allow the third Ride of Respect to take place, despite letters from councillors and residents against the decision.
Coun Peter Doyle, chairman of Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Area Board, said he had considered the objections but had been advised by Wiltshire Police that the event was still likely to take place without a road closure – causing a safety risk.
Coun Alison Bucknell (Con, Lyneham), who lives in High Street, said she had written a letter of objection on behalf of residents.
“It is Mothering Sunday and people feel it is about time they were actually allowed to respect their own families without the interruption. They want to be able to go to church without having a road closure,” she said.
“It’s not the bikes, it is the fact that the road is going to be closed.”
Coun Bucknell said she wrote on behalf of the residents because several told her they were worried they would be branded as ‘nasty Wootton Bassett’ if they wrote themselves.
“I think it is fabulous people want to pay their respect but it has got to the stage now where it is stopping the town’s people being able to pay their own respect to their own families,” she said.
Last year, 10,000 bikers set off in waves of 500 from Hullavington airfield to ride through Royal Wootton Bassett and they have permission to use the airfield again.
Royal Wootton Bassett Mayor, Paul Heaphy said it was time for the bikers to thank Carterton now that the repatriations have moved.
This year, funds raised will be donated to 10 charities. One of the organisers, Julia Stevenson, said: “We have been in talks since last August and we asked people in Royal Wootton Bassett whether they wanted us. The majority said they would love to have us back.
“This will be the last mass ride through Royal Wootton Bassett.
“We don’t want to upset anybody. While we can’t please everybody it is making a huge difference to our troops as a fundraiser.”
Comments(14)
jmostfc
says...
10:09am Tue 14 Feb 12
towney wrote:I think you will find i have complained every year about this. Which residents have been asked? I have not seen any poll or even information about this anywhere in the town.
It's funny how the locals did not mind the road closures and disruption when it suited them.
Hearditallbefore
says...
10:16am Tue 14 Feb 12
I day a year, and a massive charity raiser.
Seems it def suited some residents before the Royal bit was added and now it's too much trouble.
jmostfc
says...
10:20am Tue 14 Feb 12
Hearditallbefore wrote:Not me, look back on the comments i made last time they were here. Also the "Royal title" means f**k all to me either.
Not so Royal now are we. I day a year, and a massive charity raiser. Seems it def suited some residents before the Royal bit was added and now it's too much trouble.
Hearditallbefore
says...
10:39am Tue 14 Feb 12
Live with it.
ladd135
says...
11:11am Tue 14 Feb 12
mtb_bren
says...
11:31am Tue 14 Feb 12
Robfm
says...
11:45am Tue 14 Feb 12
Jim Royle
says...
11:55am Tue 14 Feb 12
Hearditallbefore
says...
12:42pm Tue 14 Feb 12
Treat it with some.
itsamess
says...
12:45pm Tue 14 Feb 12
This is the last ride through Bassett. The first and only since the change to Royal. Like it or not--it is quite an attraction for many and a tribute by bikers to the town and the part the town played in honouring our lads and lasses in their penultimate journey.
A great fundraiser for numerous charities that every biker pays for that privelege. Well organised and trouble free.
Steve Bucknell
says...
10:23pm Wed 15 Feb 12
ericmiller500
says...
11:46pm Thu 16 Feb 12
To pay tribute to you, the residents of RWB, for your unwavering support of our troops for so many years (the reason why you received The Royal Warrant) and to raise in excess of £100,000 for the forces charities – not for the heroes who arrived in a hearse but for those who arrived in a wheelchair.
In addition, if every ‘biker spends £5 in your High Street, the local economy would benefit to the tune of £50,000, not a bad thing in these uncertain times.
I suspect there are many businesses and individuals who would be quite happy for us to return year after year.
We do apologise in advance for those who do object, but we also embrace the vast majority who do agree, support and enjoy our visit.
ericmiller500
says...
12:08am Fri 17 Feb 12
towney says...
8:28am Tue 14 Feb 12