Wills and Kate-Canada or California?- confusing for the BBC

[Mr Pee]

I was just watching the BBC One O'Clock news, and when the autocue reader got to the story about Wills and Kate's State Visit to Canada , the words "California Republic" were clearly displayed on the studio backdrop. I rewound the TV -thank you Sky Plus- just to be sure. Needless to say, this glaring gaffe was not corrected, nor did it merit an apology.

If the BBC can't even remember which country the Royals are visiting, it's hardly surprising that more and more factual errors are creeping onto Radio3. There seems to be a distinct lack of quality control over all aspects of the corporation at the moment. Perhaps they're all to busy worrying about their ludicrously expensive and pointless move to Manchester.

[MrGongGong]

Salford isn't Manchester
as anyone in the BBC will tell you ! (or get a serious slap on the wrist !)

I've just come back from Manchester (great event by the RNCM at the Victoria Baths) and it was far from pointless ! (and the sun was shining !)

[vinteuil]

Salford isn't Manchester

as wiki tells us -

"The City of Salford is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England."

:doubleyawn:

[MrGongGong]

Try saying that in Broadcasting house !

(or to John Cooper Clarke)

[vinteuil]

"California Republic"

"California Republic" - kesskesaykessa?

[vinteuil]

Try saying that in Broadcasting house !

(or to John Cooper Clarke)

you mean, if mancunians have a chip on their shoulder - salfordians have chips on both their shoulders???

[MrGongGong]

When I was young
Anywhere south of Chester was Birmingham
Anywhere south of Birmingham was London and
Anywhere south of London was France

(which is a much better grasp of Geography than many people i've met in London have , and that includes primary school teachers !)

[french frank]

"California Republic" - kesskesaykessa?

Voilà!

But why would they put Canada Republic, anyway? What were they trying to say?

[vinteuil]

When I was young
Anywhere south of Chester was Birmingham
Anywhere south of Birmingham was London and
Anywhere south of London was France
:

ah, well, where I'm from - anywhere north of Wigmore Street = The North....

[Pianorak]

. . . There seems to be a distinct lack of quality control over all aspects of the corporation at the moment. . .

Modern technology means they can dispense with whole layers of quality control, such as copy tasters and sub-editors, and even editors in certain areas.

[MrGongGong]

there does seem to be a distinct lack of specifics in mrP's postings at the moment ................. I would put it down to lack of quality control myself following his
enthusiasm for the ludicrously expensive and pointless oratorios of Elgar

[remdataram]

The BBC are only really comfortable reporting on the UK and the USA.

There's a kind of 'D' notice on covering items within the EEC or the Commonwealth; apart from significant natural disasters and major political stories such as who Berlusconi has been sleeping with.

No small surprise then that Canada and California are so easily confused. The problem will resolve itself when the Commonwealth collapses shortly after the Queen passes on.

[Stunsworth]

"The City of Salford is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England."

Manchester and Greater Manchester are two different things. Where I live is in Greater Manchester, but I do not live in the city of Manchester.

My experience is that people in Salford don't take lightly to being told they are from Manchester.

I used to work near Media City - in the glass building on the other side of the canal bridge from the Lowry. The area still suffers from a total lack of atmosphere IMHO.

[Mr Pee]

"California Republic" - kesskesaykessa?

Thank you for that link, FF- there was actually a bear on the logo displayed by the BBC. I assume it has something to do with today being Canada Day. Canada Day, California Day- easily confused, apparently.

Anywhere south of Chester was Birmingham
Anywhere south of Birmingham was London and
Anywhere south of London was France

To me it's quite simple- anywhere North of Basingstoke is the North, a land populated by wildlings, wargs, and direwolves, not to mention Socialists.

And I am deeply concerned that I seem to be French by Mr. GG's geography. I have been called many things, but to be accused of being a cheese-eating surrender monkey- that really is quite beyond the pale.

[Stunsworth]

To me it's quite simple- anywhere North of Basingstoke is the North, a land populated by wildlings, wargs, and direwolves, not to mention Socialists.

I've been to Basingstoke. The most important thing to know is that there are several ways of leaving. All of them work.