Steven Broomfield Posted 29 July , 2017 Share Posted 29 July , 2017 (edited) Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere (possibly some deep-seated survival instinct has blocked my eyes from seeing), but I noticed THIS EXTRAVAGANZA in the TV listings. Looks ghastly - Dan Snow and Alfie Boe on the same programme! - but it might appeal to some tastes. Edited 29 July , 2017 by Steven Broomfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 30 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 30 July , 2017 Joshing aside, I have been looking at the Order of Service for this evening's events: when did Remembrance move away from quiet contemplation and reflection into a three-hour bonanza of light entertainment? It looks utterly appalling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 30 July , 2017 Share Posted 30 July , 2017 (edited) This does not bode well. I am afraid Steven they all seem to have got away from remembrance now and turn events into a jamboree. Andy Edited 30 July , 2017 by stiletto_33853 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 30 July , 2017 Share Posted 30 July , 2017 Why is it pretending to be live? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted 30 July , 2017 Share Posted 30 July , 2017 Why is it pretending to be something worthy of remembrance? Just listened to usual character press the PC button and I'm wondering just how ethically diverse the 190th (Wimbledon's Own) Brigade RFA, or the 9th East Surreys, or 23rd Middx, etc. etc. etc. were in 1917? That not to say there weren't many nations on the Western Front, but I'd like some perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 30 July , 2017 Share Posted 30 July , 2017 It's all a bit "Over the Top" which is kind of appropriate. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 30 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 30 July , 2017 I've seen very little, thank the Lord. What I have seen is dreadful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simond9x Posted 30 July , 2017 Share Posted 30 July , 2017 At least the Canadians got a passing mention for assisting the British to finally take Passchendaele Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 30 July , 2017 Share Posted 30 July , 2017 Managed to see a little this evening, after a little time I switched channels, not impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 I thoroughly enjoyed the event, I thought it was very well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Tom Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 Absolutely agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tullybrone Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 Good to see this portion of todays Guardian online editorial has been thoroughly researched....... "On Sunday European dignitaries and members of the Belgian and British royal families gathered in the Belgian frontline town of Mons to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the mud-soaked tragedy of Passchendaele." Steve Y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickpreston@nasuwt.net Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 I too thought it was well done. I am sure that lads left behind would have appreciated it. The event was reflective yet got over the essential horror of the issue. Yet for all its horror it was an essential part of winning the war? R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 I owe to Prof Peter Simkins the comment that these battles were akin to trying to climb out of a saucer, with Ypres as the cup and the Passchendaele Ridge as the rim of the saucer. The Allies needed to get to the rim in order to obtain observation over the German-held land beyond it, and to deny the Germans their observation of Ypres. In order to obtain any benefit at all from the battles, it was necessary to get all the way to the rim (the ridge), and anything short of that would be a failure. As a preliminary, it was necessary to clear the Messines Ridge, which I liken to the teaspoon. There is the further point that the British neededto keep the Germans as fully occupied as possible, in order to give the French more respite to recover after the failure of the Nivelle offensive and the subsequent mutinies. There was also the object of trying to free the Belgian coast and, in particular, the U-Boat pens there. Those who stigmatise these battles as "useless slaughter" usually fail to put them in a proper historical context. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dust Jacket Collector Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 33 minutes ago, tullybrone said: Good to see this portion of todays Guardian online editorial has been thoroughly researched....... Steve Y Priceless! Good old Grauniad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris basey Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 Well done - no religion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Kilkenny Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 (edited) The Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate was of course respectful and moving and - if anything - on this occasion it was more so than ever. The 'event' in front of the Grand Hall was well-judged and I agree with the previous posters who felt the soldiers themselves would have enjoyed it. The BBC got the coverage just right I think. Edited 31 July , 2017 by Tom Kilkenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Underwood Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 I found the whole event very moving, meaningful and tasteful. I wonder whether the critics would like to put forward their ideas for what they think would have been an appropriate commemoration. June Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 31 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 31 July , 2017 Sure: a simple drumhead service followed by a period of peace and reflection. Inter-faith to reflect the various creeds and races who were involved. Nothing more needed - making it into some form of light entertainment extravaganza is un-necessary and rather tasteless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyacinth1326 Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 (edited) The BBC would not have liked that. Edited 31 July , 2017 by Hyacinth1326 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 Had all the ceremony and wreath laying, respectful silence this morning at Tyne Cot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 I think they got it about right. I learned a couple of things I didn't know and if the same is true of everyone else who watched then that's a good thing. I am not sure a simple drumhead service would have had the same effect. They produced a set of programmes that informed, educated, and entertained. That's what they are meant to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart150 Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 23 minutes ago, Steven Broomfield said: Inter-faith to reflect the various creeds and races who were involved. No thanks. The ceremony this morning had only a mere smidgeon of religion. That's quite enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 31 July , 2017 Author Share Posted 31 July , 2017 16 minutes ago, Gareth Davies said: I think they got it about right. I learned a couple of things I didn't know and if the same is true of everyone else who watched then that's a good thing. I am not sure a simple drumhead service would have had the same effect. They produced a set of programmes that informed, educated, and entertained. That's what they are meant to do. The educating and entertaining parts are fine, but not my cup of tea as a massive top-end production. Simple and understated: not War Horse and the West End Stage meets the Menin Gate. 29 minutes ago, Hyacinth1326 said: The BBC would not have liked that. Quite, so I would ask whether we are remembering the fallen or providing an opportunity for immensely over-rewarded celebrities to strut their stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 31 July , 2017 Share Posted 31 July , 2017 I thought the PoW (or King Charles as Kirsty called him and instantly apologised) was rather lacking in emotion considering that the men were fighting for his granddad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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