The world-famous Red Arrows have been banned from appearing at the 2012 London Olympics because they are deemed 'too British'. Organisers of the event say that the Arrows military background might be 'offensive' to other countries taking part in the Games. The display team have performed at more than 4000 events worldwide, but the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the display team 'too militaristically British.' Red Arrows pilots were said to be 'outraged', as they had hoped to put on a truly world class display for the Games, something which had never been seen before. Being axed from a British-based event for being 'too British' is an insult - the Arrows are a symbol of Britain. The Red Arrows have been excellent ambassadors for British overseas trade, as they display their British-built Hawk aircraft all over the world. The Arrows performed a short flypast in 2005 when the winning bid was announced, but their flypast at the Games was to have been truly spectacular. It is to be hoped that common sense prevails. If you disagree with this decision, to sign the petition click on this link. What the hell is this country coming to? Thanks to for Jocelyn for sending this for me to post.The picture comes from the book Twilight of Pistons that I publish, Red Arrows, Russian Roulette, Manston Summer 1968
This story is a load of old tosh, and has been disproved. I think it is a ploy to divert attention from Mr Brown's current problems.
ReplyDelete14.02 You may be right, however I have developed a somewhat tarnished view of some government departments recently, so I’m taking no chances and signing the parliamentary petition anyway.
ReplyDeleteBy the time this government has finished with our Armed Forces the Red arrows will be carrying formation performances on a bicycle.
ReplyDeleteWe can not have anything British can we, the sooner Labour is out the better for this country
15.22 I don’t believe this is so much a party political issue, more a case of having developed institutionalised political correctness, I find the groups in society that I talk to who dislike this most are the British with different racial backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very old "scare" story and utter rubbish. I'm surprised at you Michael
ReplyDeleteLondon 2012 has responded to reports that the Red Arrows have been banned from the Opening Ceremony of the Games, describing the rumours as 'utter nonsense'.
The London 2012 Organising Committee will decide what to include in all celebrations and they will be a showcase of the best the UK has to offer. But with five years to go, decisions are yet to be made on what the celebrations will look like.
The Red Arrows have in fact been used before in connection to London and the Games. They did a spectacular fly over of Trafalgar Square in London to celebrate winning the bid in July 2005, and also flew over the Mall when the Athens Torch Relay was in London in 2004.
The DCMS and the Red Arrows themselves also released statements refuting the claims about the ban.
Source
http://www.london2012.com/news/archi...ows-rumour.php
Sorry David I should have been clearer here, Jocelyn of the Ramsgate Society asked me to post it, I did say I doubted its authenticity, but he seemed pretty convinced as he had had a reply from the house of commons when he signed the petition. I am afraid to admit it was both too funny not to post and the picture too good, after the business about not photographing Ramsgate Library because of the school girls both Jocelyn and I would believe almost any crazy story that came from a government department.
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