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Bomber Command Memorial
Don't know if I've missed an existing thread on this but the Telegraph is running a story on a shortfall in the funding of the Bomber Command memorial. Ironic that Robin Gibb died so recently as he would probably have put his hand in his pocket. Anyway, if someone more IT literate than me could post the link there is a website for contributions in the article. My twopenneth is en route to Home - Bomber Command Memorial Appeal
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Here's half a million quid for a start, and it couldn't come from nicer people:
Remove VAT On The Bomber Command Memorial - e-petitions |
petition signed:
this is the wording on the petition: Remove VAT On The Bomber Command Memorial Responsible department: Her Majesty's Treasury This is a petition to remove the VAT on the bomber command memorial currently payable on professional fees and services, a £500,000 VAT bill has been charged for professional services on the building of this one of a kind memorial, the memorial has been entirely funded by public donations receiving no government aid and no lottery funding, previous governments waived the tax for charities such as the Princess Diana Memorial and the Band Aid single Do They Know It’s Christmas? Sir Elton John’s 1997 charity single Candle In The Wind was given a £2.5million exemption, Under the Labour Government charities could claim back VAT for monuments once they had got planning permission, in January the Coalition stopped charities reclaiming VAT, which was then hiked to 20 per cent. The Memorial has been running for five years now, with the government constantly moving the goal posts, I believe this to be unfair, do you? If you do please sign. |
.... and more seats on the outrage bus will no doubt be filled by:-
MoD lands veterans with £700,000 bill for ceremony to unveil Bomber Command Memorial | Mail Online so the MoD slip out from paying for the security and seating costs because of insufficient funding????????? |
It;s rather better than the back of a Herc don't you agree?
These are some of the RNZAF veterans en-route to the UK in the RNZAF B757. The guy front left is a former 35 Sqn RAF pathfinder and subsequent AVM Sir Rchard Bolt, CAS RNZAF and CDS, NZ and an absolutely super guy. |
It;s rather better than the back of a Herc don't you agree?
These are some of the RNZAF veterans en-route to the UK in the RNZAF B757. The guy front left is a former 35 Sqn RAF pathfinder and subsequent AVM Sir Rchard Bolt, CAS RNZAF and CDS, and an absolutely super guy. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ntualclass.jpg |
Anyone know if a Wg Cdr Bill Simpson was there - a Pathfinder, and OC Ops at Watton in the late 60s. He made it the Pathfinder 50th at Wyton, for which I was one of the Project Officers.
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What a striking contrast between the attitudes of two Governments. Proper respect and provision accorded to surviving veterans determined to pay homage to their fallen comrades on the one hand, and tight-fisted disdain on the other. Your country is truly blessed, Samuel.
Kia kaha New Zealand! |
I doubt this photo needs any words. En route to Brize. A handshake and respect so evident.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ockpitchat.jpg |
Order of Service here:
http://www.bombercommand.com/order-of-service.pdf Not a mention of Robin Gibb. Not a sign of him being airbrushed out of the way as a mere "civilian" I hope. He must be properly remembered for without him it would be another 67 years of waiting, and then another... |
Live coverage of the unveiling on Sky News and BBC News from just before 12 noon BST.
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Chuggers, I agree.
I hope the weather holds out for all concerned today - it will surely be the Lancaster's most deferential, poignant and soulful flight. |
it will surely be the Lancaster's most deferential, poignant and soulful flight |
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Lanc. has just overflown Wyton at 1145 BST, its' the noise that gets to you!!
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5 x Tornados over my flat, Hackney, and on their way to Green Park. Lovely sight..and sound.. This has to be an "About time" moment. :cool:
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Robin Gibb
Originally Posted by Chugalug2
Not a mention of Robin Gibb ...............
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I make no apologies for reposting this - it somehow seems apt for today:
Lie in the dark and listen. It's clear tonight so they're flying high, Hundreds of them, thousands perhaps, riding the icy, moonlit sky. Men, machinery, bombs and maps, altimeters and guns and charts, Coffee, sandwiches, fleece-lined boots, bones and muscles and minds and hearts, English saplings with English roots deep in the earth they've left below. Lie in the dark and let them go; Lie in the dark and listen. Lie in the dark and listen. They're going over in waves and waves High above villages, hills and streams, country churches and little graves And little citizen's worried dreams; very soon they'll have reached the sea. Lie in the dark and let them go, theirs is a world we'll never know. Lie in the dark and listen. And far below them will lie the bays And cliffs and sands where they used to be taken for summer holidays. Lie in the dark and let them go. Theirs is a world we'll never know. Lie in the dark and listen. Lie in the dark and listen. City magnates and steel contractors, Factory workers and politicians, soft hysterical little actors, Ballet dancers, reserved musicians, safe in your warm civilian beds. Count your profits and count your sheep, life is passing above your heads, Just turn over and try to sleep. Lie in the dark and let them go; There's one debt you'll forever owe, Lie in the dark and listen. |
spekesoftly:
Pleasing to see that due recognition was given to Robin Gibb (and many others) by the Chairman of the Bomber Command Association during his introductory speech to the dedication and unveiling ceremony. |
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