Comment posted The Diamond Jubilee Thames River Pageant by newsroom.
The TV coverage was the poorest yet – and most unreliably informed.
One commentator said HMS Belfast was 91,000 tonnes. The next to mention the ship said she was 11,500 tonnes, reduced from around 14,000 by having armature removed.
A commentator drew attention to The Edwardian, announcing that this was the boat with the Middleton family on it. That was actually The Elizabethan.
Then the person holding the rank of Lord High Admiral was said to be the Queen, It used to be – but she has, not too long ago, conferred it on the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Gloriana was said to be carrying some of the Royal family where, to the best of our understanding, it was not.
We accept that these things are relatively trivial and sometimes arcane but if facts are given they should be correct. The late Richard Dimbleby was authoritative because he was well and accurately informed.
No effort was made to capture the variety of musical barges and while pre-recorded interviews had picked up some of the boats with special stories to tell, the running commentary was very thinly informed on the participant craft – yet these were very interesting, many representing the old trade guilds, reminding us of a world organised differently.
This was lazy.
The commentary, in its preparation and professionalism, did not match the level of preparation and skill put into the event itself. And many of them looked ridiculous – eg Tess Daly.
Why do working reporters now routinely dress up to match the events they are reporting, rather than remain, as they should be, separate from them? Hence we have journo-faux-celebs on the red carpets at film premieres; and foolishly dressed reporters at Ascot – all a serious loss of perspective.
newsroom also commented
- What a fabulous photograph – and isn’t she a simply glorious boat?
- Difficult one. ‘Bread and circuses’ work because we need both.
As a Republican who actually doesn’t care that much either way and as someone who is aware what hard times are inevitably coming down the line just now, I thought the Thames River Pageant did a lot of good.
It paid tribute to a life that never had a choice but accepted the given role and has worked consistently to do no harm.
The rest of us live with uncertainties, more fundamental anxieties and room for choice, for the impromptu and the invisible. No one in their right mind would swop this to be a living totem with almost zero privacy of the kind we take for granted.
Many of the rest of us can work to trade up. The monarchical system leaves those born into it with no choice to trade down.
The river pageant was essentially about people and ordinary working lives elevated to the extraordinary because they were all brought together in one place at one time.
It reminded us of who we are and the majority responded to that.
In doing this, I personally felt that I was left better prepared for the bad times to come because it did lift the spirits in celebrating and staging the everyday with the majesty it deserves.
It’s not as if the money would have been spent on anything we would consider to be of substance. And sometimes substance is insubstantial.
Lynda - LOL.
- Noticed a quite large black hulled working boat of some kind whose name seemed to be ‘Argyll…(something).
Looking for the full list.Update: Found this – is this what you;re looking for, Hotbird?
‘Ulla Lieutenancy of Ross and Cromarty
Ulla is the first of four St Ayles Skiffs to be built in Ross‐shire and has led a resurgence in community involvement in coastal rowing. This boat was built by the club and repaired after
extensive damage last winter. ’
Recent comments by newsroom
- Radically new council group changes all the dynamics: party politics dead in Argyll
Oh boy… - Party politics on the way back as more confusion reigns in Argyll and Bute Council
The reading rate is high – but this saga is like being sandbagged by a black pantomine with more false endings than a Z-list thriller. - Iain McCallum: the human bridge between Campbeltown and Heroes Challenge UK
Alan – we’ll try to get a message to the team for you – and will pass on your email to them for dir3ect contact.
The communications side of things is a weak link – not just with wifi and mobile signal problems but with accurate information on ETAs and even destinations.
We spent the afternoon today chasing around unsuccessfully to find them at their stated destination in Campbeltown – confirmed before we set off to drive – when in fact they finished at The Putechan Hotel, which is on the west coast of Kintyre and well short of Campbeltown. Very frustrating.
We did see the team doing the hard stuff though – passing them on the way south. They were cycling in two clusters, impressively easily and very disciplined in the way they were dealing with traffic streams behind them.
You should know that we now understand that they will row tomorrow from Campbeltown to Glenarm and not to Ballycastle; and that it looks as if they will row back not form Newcastle but from Bangor to Portpatrick.
They’ll be delighted to see you mi-channel. Great idea. - Argyll and Bute Council: Where are we now?
The difference is that the new ferry to Campbeltown had an arrival time and actually arrived.
A major part of what we work to do is to support initiatives at all levels that are focused on regeneration and are driven by positive, creative energies that make things happen.
Campbeltown wins hands down over Kilmory any minute of any day on these criteria – and we never spare ourselves travelling and hard work on a cause that has some hope of going somewhere.
And just in case you are implying that this was a jolly – which we never do: I myself drove to Campbeltown – 1 hr 30m – did the work and drove back again immediately. - Argyll and Bute Council: Where are we now?
This amusing spin disguises the fact that there was no political ‘speculation’.
There was formally recorded political realignment and manoeuvering by all councillors – which was done in some urgency before the council meeting, yet appears to have stalled – for some reason and for the time time being at least.
Councillors do not seem to realise that this adds to the alienation of voters rather than assuage concerns.
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I read that there were 20 boats from Scotland in the fleet. Obviously the Royal Barge from Britannia had a prominent position. I understand the Ullapool St Ayles Skiff was there but it would be interesting to see a list of them all.
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Noticed a quite large black hulled working boat of some kind whose name seemed to be ‘Argyll…(something).
Looking for the full list.
Update: Found this – is this what you;re looking for, Hotbird?
‘Ulla Lieutenancy of Ross and Cromarty
Ulla is the first of four St Ayles Skiffs to be built in Ross‐shire and has led a resurgence in community involvement in coastal rowing. This boat was built by the club and repaired after
extensive damage last winter. ’
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I saw that one but I think that when I looked closer it was not “Argyll” but can’t remember now what I thought it was.
Agree on the singers, they did a great job considering the conditions. I thought their conductor should have turned around at the end of Rule Britannia and encouraged the party on Spirit of Chartwell to join in!
The Bah Humbug people were proved wrong and it is reported that 1.2 million people had a great day in London with many more watching around the world.
Watching Waverley this morning made me think they missed a great opportunity for publicity all around the world if they had taken part.
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I think the boat that someone thought was “ARGYLL …” was actually Angell Hardy ll
DETAILED VESSEL INFORMATION
List of vessels invited to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant as of 17/01/12
http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/factsheets/vessel_factsheet.pdf
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Thanks very much for this. Given the BBC’s total lack of information on or pictures of this astoundingly varied selection of craft, probably never again to be assembled – a slap in the face of all those who put in so much work and money – it would be wonderful if someone, somewhere, were to assemble a proper commemorative publication with photos and fuller details.
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Nobody could accuse me of being a monarchist but todays pageant on the Thames was a fascinating display, and a great tribute to a person who has spent 60 years in unstinting service to her country. Whilst I would love to see the back of the monarchy, I have a huge admiration for Queen Elizabeth the First.
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I heard Argyll Ferries Ali Cat and Argyll Flyer were scheduled to take part but had to cancel due to the poor weather!
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LOL.
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I watched this in awe. With such a fantastic spectacle the event presented, along with the forthcoming London Olympics, I don’t know whether to eat cake whilst looking for a guilitine supplier or find a fiddle and a city.
Meanwhile, a couple of blokes die in a road traffic accident on the A9 (a toy road) and divert traffic onto the A82 (their crash is treated as a crime scene though the crime is the road itself) with utter anarchy ensuing. The A9′s issues could be resolved with some of the funds spent on the Queen thing and the A82 improved beyond belief with funds wasted on the Olympics opening ceremony – a job which a Queen, a pair of scissors, and a bit of ribbon would do nicely. Given the state of the economy worldwide.
But we’re supposed to ‘pack up our troubles in an old kit bag’ and gape thankfully at this garbage for the plebs.
Grumpy mood tonight! I just caught sight of what the stock markets present for the coming week and wonder, fuel prices in Colorado have fallen by 18 cents in a week. Why has not fuel in the UK fallen by a relative amount?
Are we all too busy eating cake?
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Difficult one. ‘Bread and circuses’ work because we need both.
As a Republican who actually doesn’t care that much either way and as someone who is aware what hard times are inevitably coming down the line just now, I thought the Thames River Pageant did a lot of good.
It paid tribute to a life that never had a choice but accepted the given role and has worked consistently to do no harm.
The rest of us live with uncertainties, more fundamental anxieties and room for choice, for the impromptu and the invisible. No one in their right mind would swop this to be a living totem with almost zero privacy of the kind we take for granted.
Many of the rest of us can work to trade up. The monarchical system leaves those born into it with no choice to trade down.
The river pageant was essentially about people and ordinary working lives elevated to the extraordinary because they were all brought together in one place at one time.
It reminded us of who we are and the majority responded to that.
In doing this, I personally felt that I was left better prepared for the bad times to come because it did lift the spirits in celebrating and staging the everyday with the majesty it deserves.
It’s not as if the money would have been spent on anything we would consider to be of substance. And sometimes substance is insubstantial.
Lynda
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Much of the cost of the Thames Regatta came from private funds and what came from public funds seems a small price to pay for the number of people who enjoyed it. You could use the same argument for every public event including those in Scotland, cancel the Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh Tattoo, Glasgow Marathon etc and use the money on roads? I suspect the cost of the Thames Regatta would not go far towards making the A9 dual carriageway all the way to Inverness and the Inverness lobby want – I think it would be a lot cheaper to just paint double white lines down all the single-carriage way sections and spend something on the A82. Perhaps some of those diverted on Friday will realise just how much worse the A82 with only a slightly lower amount of traffic than the A9 and similar accident rate to the A9 despite the claims the A9 is the most dangerous in Scotland or the UK.
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It’s all about control of the masses whichever way you view it. Unfortunately there are too many of us on this planet! “Population Matters”
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A fantastic event , with bells ringing throughout the UK and Commonwealth , including Campbeltown .
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Shouldn’t you be calling yourself ‘Campbeltown for ever’?
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Quasimodo, The bells the bells their doing my head in gaga
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Drove into Helensburgh yesterday and couldn’t believe this one. Lord and Lady (and future Lord Liuetentant) Dance were charging people for an jubilee audience with them at their offices in the Victoria Halls.
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Quite like the old bird but absolutely and utterly bored sh*tless by yesterday’s sychophantic TV coverage. Went out to watch the grass growing for a shot of excitement.
No thanks.
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The TV coverage was the poorest yet – and most unreliably informed.
One commentator said HMS Belfast was 91,000 tonnes. The next to mention the ship said she was 11,500 tonnes, reduced from around 14,000 by having armature removed.
A commentator drew attention to The Edwardian, announcing that this was the boat with the Middleton family on it. That was actually The Elizabethan.
Then the person holding the rank of Lord High Admiral was said to be the Queen, It used to be – but she has, not too long ago, conferred it on the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Gloriana was said to be carrying some of the Royal family where, to the best of our understanding, it was not.
We accept that these things are relatively trivial and sometimes arcane but if facts are given they should be correct. The late Richard Dimbleby was authoritative because he was well and accurately informed.
No effort was made to capture the variety of musical barges and while pre-recorded interviews had picked up some of the boats with special stories to tell, the running commentary was very thinly informed on the participant craft – yet these were very interesting, many representing the old trade guilds, reminding us of a world organised differently.
This was lazy.
The commentary, in its preparation and professionalism, did not match the level of preparation and skill put into the event itself. And many of them looked ridiculous – eg Tess Daly.
Why do working reporters now routinely dress up to match the events they are reporting, rather than remain, as they should be, separate from them? Hence we have journo-faux-celebs on the red carpets at film premieres; and foolishly dressed reporters at Ascot – all a serious loss of perspective.
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What a pity Dave. What a disrespectful comment.
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Disrespectful and the most offensive comment I have ever read on ForArgyll .
Tonight our magnificent Queen has attended the concert in the Mall alone as Prince Philip , The Duke Of Edinburgh has been taken into hospital .
Comments like yours shame Scotland .
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Agree 100% with Dave, rather watch paint dry, and if was my partner Kintyre1 I would be at the bedside instead of watching a concert of hasbeens
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Islay is that the same queen that is a member of the Bilderberg group? has her big eared son not been at several of their meetings
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These comments are unworthy of a civilised response. Quite pathetic actually.
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Well said Dave, I am sick of hearing about these “Royal” dole scroungers time to get rid of them and spend the money on the people
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I don’t think any alternative head of state would be any cheaper. They certainly wouldn’t spend any savings on “the people”. Well not the ordinary people anyway.
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Some European countries seem to have much lower profile – but popular – royal families; are the SNP planning a new ‘Royal Family Lite’ for Scotland?
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Keith–
Are your views widely shared? In other words, should we get to the UK soon for a final visit before the country abandons its heritage and status to become a dull, grey republic of no interest to anyone but the inmates?
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There seems to be quite a lot of ignorance in the BBC – at least, going by their news website; the latest was just last weekend, when the boat involved in the sad fatality off Greenock was described as a cabin cruiser and a yacht. Since corrected, but there’s a steady ‘drip’ of this sort of stuff, and one of the most common is referring to the ground, or the road, as the ‘floor’. Auntie needs to sharpen her act.
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Did they have a BBC reporter at the scene? It is quite possible that they got the details from an egency, a local stringer or even the police. It would not be the first time that reports from official sources have got details like that wrong but of course the BBC always get the blame.
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1st Samuel chapter 8
“Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. (7) And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. (8) As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. (9) Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
(10) Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. (11) He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. (12) Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. (13) He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. (14) He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. (15) He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. (16) Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[c] and donkeys he will take for his own use. (17) He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. (18) When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.
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And your point is ……….
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Do you really need it spelled out for you Phill?
All the land in the Uk the queen/king has claimed ownership “Crown estate”
Look at the wars that have been fought in the name of “protecting the realm” {tell me when was the last time someone attacked this island} {and don’t hit me with false flag IRA Crap or Muslim attacks} has your queen not given all the best land to her lords and major ass kissers
Now for the thumbs down generator ( look at your birth certificate YOU are the property of the Crown Estate) welcome to voluntary servitude (Voluntary slavery) pay your tax beg for a license beg for your queens government to take ownership of your property (registration or mortgage) beg for your queen to give you right or privileges just so you can feel like a good loyal part of society (which society do you live in phill can you name it LOL)
Don’t believe me look at the car you own (or should I say bought) you beg (register) the DVLA to take ownership of it which they gladly do and return you a V5 document with your instruction of being a keeper of the vehicle (keeper not owner) you will tax it insure it and mot it and if not they will fine you or come take the toy away from you
God gave us all the abundance of this planet, Your Kings/Queens and governments have taken them from you
Think of it this way Phill God gave you the land to move about freely and share with others. Your queen and her lot have you living on a ship and you must ask permission to do anything
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Good for you keith. Enjoy your world whatever gives you pride!
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I find myself viewing the proceedings with my eyebrows meeting each other in an expression of bewilderment!
I also find the intensity of the outpourings of the ‘loyal subjects’ contradictory in a modern democracy.
However – each to his own!
I’m glad that Scotland offers a somewhat muted reaction!
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Many many people enjoyed the spectacle. Each to their own as you say. Negativity is not the way forward for any country contemplating constitutional change.
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The Diana syndrome is alive and kicking, what a waste of time and money. Royal Family = leeches
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I’m glad that the Diamond Jubilee has shown us all how narrow minded and mean spirited the nationalists are by their comments here
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A magnificent spectacle ruined for those who had to watch on TV by BBC Coverage.
Sycophantic Drivel.
The skipper of Spirit of Chartwell was extolled in such terms as to be the greatest seaman since Magellan for bringing his craft alongside without crashing (with bow thrusters?).
The BBC needed a brace of Dimblebys to resurrect their outside broadcast teams.
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“Sycophantic Drivel”.
And there’s been no shortage of that commodity in the media over the last few weeks, has there?
I’m instinctively a republican, but it’s an inescapable fact that the queen has performed her role faultlessly for years.
But her jubilee masks the fact that she is pretty much one of a kind, and is on the throne simply because her uncle didn’t want the job.
And her successor can hardly be described in the same glowing terms as his mother – although there seems to be a concerted effort of late to have his spouse accepted as Queen Camilla when he becomes king.
Will that accession be greeted with the same enthusiasm as the current event?
It’s also worth pointing out that the monarchy creates its own anomalies in what purports to be a modern democracy. It created Sir Elton John, Sir Tom Jones, Sir Sean Connery – people whose talents have already been amply rewarded by the millions they have been paid for exploiting them.
And lets not forget the Lords Archer,Taylor and Watson, ennobled for reasons beyond public understanding,whose titles remain intact despite criminal convictions.
Compare that with the little old lady who spends years working in a charity shop for nothing and gets an MBE as a reward for her efforts.
It makes rather a mockery of the notion that we’re all Jock Tamson’s bairns, does it not?
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Phil!
There is nothing negative in aspiring to be part of a truly modern democracy that is comfortable with it’s own behaviour.
Incidentally — Talking of ‘Each to his own’ — Scotland beat Australia at rugby to-day!!!
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Well Dot if you dont think thats a negative comment at No. 10??!
There is nothing negative in aspiring to be a truly modern democracy, nor is there anything wrong with others celebrating a historical event and enjoying others doing similarly.
The SNP are in danger of scoring own goals here all over the place which is a shame as they have tried to be seen as a tolerant party and have suceeded for the greater part. Where the test comes is in situations like the Royal celebrations, and subsequent intolerances from people who are unfortunately for the Snp party seen as mouthpieces.
Time to ‘grow up’ for real.
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Hey, Islay for ever. I would describe myself as a Nationalist and I’ve had a brilliant weekend celebrating and enjoying it all. Just shows you that you shouldn’t make sweeping judgements. In fact, I’ve got many lovely Unionist friends – so you don’t represent them either! Deep joy all round, I reckon.
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I stand by my earlier comments on facebook….
“I dont consider myself a raging monarchist but cant believe how much Queen bashing has been on facebook because of the Jubilee. The poor cow has burst her arse for this country for 60 years and people still go on as if she is a parasite but many of these people dont mind footballers being paid millions for kicking a f**king ball round a pitch!! Does anyone seriously think at 86 she wants to watch a concert when she could be sitting down taking it easy?
The Queens official expenditure last year was 32.1 million but Crown estates had a revenue of 210 million which goes direct to the treasury. This also doesnt begin to cover the billions in tourism brought to this country for occassions like the Jubilee.
Without the queen this is a second rate small European country with ideas above its station.”
Putting aside political aspirations and cheap point scoring why should people be made to feel that respect and admiration for the Queen is outdated, uninformed and untrendy. What is wrong with bleeding well enjoying a historical event with your community as we all did in ’77? Perhaps we would all be personally if not financially richer if we celebrated more and whinged less!
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Unfortunately some people’s nostalgic idea of an enjoyable day out would be to watch christians being fed to the lions, or take their knitting down to the guillotine, or (in some places still) to settle down to enjoy a good stoning.
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Here’s Gloriana carrying the flame from Hampton Court past Kingston
http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp635%3B6%3Enu%3D6846%3E38%3B%3E243%3EWSNRCG%3D36%3A9427%3A3%3B334nu0mrj
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What a fabulous photograph – and isn’t she a simply glorious boat?
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