15th Apr 2008
Are the Red Arrows too British…
I don’t normally get involved in ‘political discussions’ but sometimes a decision seems too outrageous for words! And I think that is the case where the Red Arrows are concerned. [Info update… see the comments added below this post]
I received an email from a business colleague about the decision the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have made regarding the appearance of the Red Arrows at the 2012 London Olympics. Here’s the email. If you feel as strongly as I do then follow the link to the petition and add your voice.
The world-famous Red Arrows have been banned from appearing at the 2012 London Olympics because they are deemed ‘too British’.
Organisers of the event say that the Arrows military background might be ‘offensive’ to other countries taking part in the Games. The display team have performed at more than 4000 events worldwide, but the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the display team ‘too militaristically British.’ Red Arrows pilots were said to be ‘outraged’, as they had hoped to put on a truly world class display for the Games, something which had never been seen before. Being axed from a British-based event for being ‘too British’ is an insult - the Arrows are a symbol of Britain.
The Red Arrows have been excellent ambassadors for British overseas trade, as they display their British-built Hawk aircraft all over the world.
The Arrows performed a short flypast in 2005 when the winning bid was announced, but their flypast at the Games was to have been truly spectacular.
It is to be hoped that common sense prevails.
If you disagree with this decision, sign the petition on the link http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012
And tell me what you think… click comments below
~ Carol Bentley
Hi Carol
Regrettably this is doing the rounds again. Please see the notes at the begining of the petition:
This allegation is not true. The Government has not banned the Red Arrows from the London 2012 Olympic Games. The organising committee of London 2012 will decide what to include in the Opening Ceremony and other celebrations - but with almost five years to go, decisions are yet to be made on what these will look like.
And also the following links, on from today’s Sun (not that I’m a reader, but it came up high in a Google search):
http://www.london2012.com/news/archive/2007-10/no-truth-in-red-arrows-rumour.php
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article390529.ece
We’ve had several emails about this over the last few days, I strongly recommend checking this sort of stuff out before passing it on, more often than not it’s an urban myth.
Regards
Nigel
Reply from Carol
Thanks Nigel… what’s the saying ‘Act in haste - repent at leisure‘?
Normally I check emails like this against the hoax websites, but because this had a link to a government site petition I didn’t do my usual checks!
Ah well, I’ll leave this post here - along with your comment - so other people will be aware.
Thanks
~ Carol
Yes I have also heard the same, but it does not distract from the fact the the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have made the statement that has deemed the display team too be “militaristically British”. It is that which I think has perhaps been interpreted as being “Banned”. from my experience in the RAF they do not prepare for engagements more than 18 months to 2 years in advance. So I think it is the statement that has probably caused this petition to be raised. Lets just hope they are allowed to present a display at the right time.
So I am sure any support can only be good for the Red Arrows who are held in very high esteem by the people of this country