Today's Trooping the Colour Ceremony 2013

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Dulux Emulsions; glossing over the cracks since 1952.

[Mr Pee]

I hope the troops are paid to defend the land against invaders, the police to preserve domestic peace.

You get pleasure from these rituals - fine : pay for them.

I get no pleasure from them.

I don't expect you to fund the various things that give me pleasure....

Except that I probably do... or perhaps you think then that people who don't listen to classical music or go the Royal Opera House should have an appropriate reduction in their tax bill to reflect that? Or maybe BBC viewers who don't give a damn about the Proms or Radio 3 should pay a bit less for their TV Licences?

And you know very well there is a Ceremonial side to the military in every country you care to mention. Here in the UK we happen to do it better than most. And you also know very well that at any big public event, be it a political demonstration, a football match, or the Trooping of the Colour, the police turn out to ensure it passes off peacefully.

[amateur51]

Except that I probably do... or perhaps you think then that people who don't listen to classical music or go the Royal Opera House should have an appropriate reduction in their tax bill to reflect that? Or maybe BBC viewers who don't give a damn about the Proms or Radio 3 should pay a bit less for their TV Licences?

And you know very well there is a Ceremonial side to the military in every country you care to mention. Here in the UK we happen to do it better than most. And you also know very well that at any big public event, be it a political demonstration, a football match, or the Trooping of the Colour, the police turn out to ensure it passes off peacefully.

and are often paid substantial overtime into the bargain

And they did us proud at Orgreave colliery of course

[amateur51]

Except that I probably do... or perhaps you think then that people who don't listen to classical music or go the Royal Opera House should have an appropriate reduction in their tax bill to reflect that? Or maybe BBC viewers who don't give a damn about the Proms or Radio 3 should pay a bit less for their TV Licences?

Are you putting in a bid for licence-fee exemption here, Mr Pee? - because you oh so rarely post about anything BBC-related (other than from your sniper's hole) and even less often about things Radio 3-related

[Serial_Apologist]

What about Trooping of The Fairy Cake next year, serenaded by Youth Bands & Orchestras & sundry other musical possibilities?

In drag of course....

[amateur51]

In drag of course....

As in drag-racing?

[Serial_Apologist]

What a dull world we would live in if everything that wasn't absolutely essential was subject to the whims of cynical old bean counters such as yourself.

Tut tut! Isn't this the kind of loose financial talk that Labour got us all into the mess the government is now having to sort out? Or am I asking the wrong person?

[gradus]

The RAF flypast flew past us, in fact right overhead and very impressive they looked and sounded.
I only wish that the Lowestoft Air Show was on again this year, such a pity that enough of the vast numbers that watched it couldn't be persuaded to part with £10 for their day's entertainment.

[vinteuil]

And you know very well there is a Ceremonial side to the military in every country you care to mention. .

Why?

[Serial_Apologist]

I was brought up watching TTOTC on an 8" screen with magnifier back in the 50s. As far as I can see nothing much has changed, except it's now in colour and it sometimes rains; and the BBC carries too many repeats as it is.

[Petrushka]

Disappointed that the Queen's Birthday Parade wasn't broadcast on channel 301 this year with the commentary-free option. I've been in the seats for the Trooping several times over the years and love the spectacle and the music. So much better without the twitterings of Edwards and others and the cutting away for interviews etc.

I agree with Mr Pee's comments throughout this thread.

[Serial_Apologist]

not to mention the honourable company of bearskin-makers

They always wore clothes whenever I watched it!

[Anna]

I missed it (didn't know it was on) Highlights are on BBC2 tonight at 6.30. I intend to watch, I love anything like that, the horses, the soldiers, the music, the Pomp and Circumstance!! I did see, on the BBC1 listings they did offer a commentary-free viewing.

[Ferretfancy]

I love it Ferret. The burning flesh, the resigned, depressed sheep, the lady morris dancers.

I hope you had a cup cake to cheer you, you paint a wonderful picture of it all.

saly

As a matter of fact I had made a cake of my own before going to the fair, sponge with jam and orange icing. When we returned dripping wet it went down well.
This was a therapeutic exercise on my part after a tough week !

We watched Some Like It Hot last night for the nth time, and I remembered the custard pie fight in The Great Race, with Tony Curtis remaining unscathed until the very last shot. Now, as Ams suggests, this might be nice on the Mall with massed pipes and drums!

[Petrushka]

I did see, on the BBC1 listings they did offer a commentary-free viewing.

I specifically looked out for this and couldn't find it. There's certainly no mention of it in the Radio Times. In previous years it's been on channel 301 but they were carrying some sporty deal this morning.