Announced at the start of PMQs today Royal title for town that comes to a halt to honour our fallen heroes | News Royal title for Wootton Bassett - the town that comes to a halt to honour our fallen heroes The town that inspired Britain by honouring our Afghan war dead is to be given royal status. Wootton Bassett will be granted the refix "Royal" to its name in recognition of the way local people unfailingly halted to pay respects to the coffins of soldiers killed in service. The Prime Minister was announcing the news this afternoon in the Commons. Mr Cameron said last year: "I think we should recognise the incredible people of that town and what they're doing." In a poignant twist, however, the sight of quiet tributes in what will become Royal Wootton Bassett is going to end. In a separate announcement, the Ministry of Defence said that repatriation flights will be switched from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, which means the corteges will take a new route. Wootton Bassett became synonymous with respect for the war dead after two old soldiers gave an impromptu salute to a passing military cortege in 2007. The practice spread as the sight of coffins passing through become more regular. Soon the Wiltshire town began to come to a complete standstill whenever a fallen soldier passed through, with townsfolk often joined by grieving relatives of the dead. Retired naval officer Bill Thomas wrote to the Queen asking if she would consider renaming the town Royal Wootton Bassett. However, some locals were uncomfortable with the idea and a special medal was considered. Defence Secretary Liam Fox thanked Wootton Bassett for its dignified displays. He said: "I would like to record publicly my thanks to the people of Wootton Bassett who have chosen to pay their respects in a unique and special way. It is such spontaneous public support that captures the spirit of the British people." Mr Fox added: "I am certain that RAF Brize Norton will maintain the standard of solemnity dignity and respect to our service personnel." BBC News - Wootton Bassett to get 'Royal' title in war dead honour .
Was just searching for a thread to post this on myself. I know lots of people from Bassett & I know a few who want the circus to leave town. At least Royal Wootton Bassett is classier than the naff & crappy renaming of the High St to Highway of Heroes
Was just searching for a thread to post this on myself. At least Royal Wootton Bassett is classier than the naff & crappy renaming of the High St to Highway of Heroes Resisted tagging this it on to the end of that thread.
BBC News - Live: Prime Minister's Questions 1202 The session begins with the prime minister paying tribute to a soldier killed in Afghanistan. He also says military repatriations will no longer pass through Wootton Bassett from September. It will have the title "Royal" conferred on it in tribute to the way it has honoured dead soldiers over the year, he adds .
What about all the villages up the A420 that turn out too? The Mayor & RBL of Faringdon all stand in a layby on the 420 as it by-passes their town. Shrivenham & Watchfield turn out too . I've seen people in scattered places all the way up to Oxford do as much as Bassett does in their own way. I thought the people of Bassett didn't want a fuss made. I know forum member Colin lives there, be nice to hear the view of a Bassett resident.
I bet all the pub & cafe owners are gutted they'll lose all that trade when the repats go to Brize. Few years time it'll be Royal Carterton.
Perhaps 'Royal Lyneham' would be a better choice: 3,000 jobs could be created when RAF Lyneham closes (From Swindon Advertiser) I hope the jobs get created.
Well deserved - if that is what they want but watch out for plates,cups and saucers with the royal crest on .
Well I live in the High Street Wootton Bassett, and have attended many of the repats as they come through the town. The last one I took our dog which was very moving there was alot of service dogs there. Personnally I more amused than most, certainly if you look into the history of the town. Wootton Bassett is one of the famous Rotten Boroughs that elected 2 MP's to Parliment. One of which ran off with £20,000 and was caught trying to leave the country. So you could say a Rotten Borough made good.
Didn't I read that the people of Wootton Bassett specifically said they did not want any fuss/change of name when this was first suggested?
Lots of piss taking at work today. All the Bassett Boys calling us 'peasants' & we need a pass to get into their town now. I won't repeat what we called them.
Excellent New! Well deserved and a credit to the population of this little village who have stood tall when cast into the spotlight. Lets hope that the funerals stop very soon. Well Done Wooton!!
Been musing on this, as I found the previous suggestion of 'Highway of Heroes' for the road exceptionally naff/tacky/cringe-making, and I think I'm fine with it. Looking at why the other two royal towns got the title (one as a bit of a marketing exercise, and the other as a 'thanks for my hols' from Queen Victoria) I now think 'why not'. It's just another one of those interesting little historical quirks actually happening in the here & now. Possibly even sort of charming.
I think it's a nice gesture. I've read the residents didn't ask for this. And the residents will view it as a gift from the Queen.
Just watching the very moving television programme about Wooton Bassett and how the people of the town remember and honour the repatriated war dead whilst supporting the families of the bereaved. A very moving and emotional experience , so very sad.
I think that my second cousin Graham who now runs his dads garage in the village of Hilmarten will suffer big time, as the family had a tradition of being in the service and served at RAF Lynham. a lot of the base used to get their cars serviced there not to mention one chap even left the squadron mascot a goat called Willam...which he never came back for.... As a child we used to go up to uncle Jacks garage and I used to help him serve the petrol and eat all his sweets from the garage shop At night I used to lay in bed in his caravan and listen to the Hercules transport planes warming up to go on exercise, and also go on to Salisbury plains to watch the tank manoeuvres..... happy days
Excellent programme showing the true dedication of the people of the village - WELL DONE WOOTTON. Now that the flights will soon be going into Brize Norton what will happen???
Watched the programme last night-found it a very moving experience-especially all the old soldiers there. Lesley