General Chat

how sad was i to hear that the my local paper has reported that next years celebration for the 200th anniversary of the battle of trafalgar could have financial problems because the goverment have refused to pay some of the money to celebrate this event.doesn't tony blair realise that this plays a big part in britains history on which nelson died for monarch and country.we have had defence cuts put upon the navy by the goverment but the least they can do is support what we have got left and celebrate and give thanks to the navy of the past.do the right thing mr blair don't let us down.

HI LISA i was pub landlady in The Bold Forester, in the albert rd next to tesco in southsea, i loved it when the ships came in and the navy lads and going clubbing in joannas. as for Nelson it is such a shame that alot of our history is no longer being recognised, and it should be, hopefully money will be found and nelson will have his day again. lol sandra

are the goverment putting any funds to your celebration?

i am ashamed to call myself a british citizen not because of the country but the way the goverment potrays us and the way they make all the descisions which people disagree with.they seem to forget that it's taxpayers money which should benifit the taxpayer and the country.the money seems to be going on the wrong thing.

Lisa - interesting that you brought this topic to light. My sister, who lives in Portsmouth, has been telling me the 'latest' as she has been involved in past 'festivals of the sea' down there. The 2005 one is the 'big one' and we're already planning to be there! I think the hoo-hah is over the cost of the review of the fleet (what's left of it!) but what better occasion could there be, and do the government not realise what a huge tourist attraction it will be! (if the last one was anything to go by!) Let's hope things get moving!

the 200th anniversary in portsmouth has to set aside by private businesses which would stump up £1m and they need a further £5m for it to go ahead and they are expecting250000 visitors to portsmouth which would recoup some of the money through entrance to the dockyard where the victory is and through spending in the city.i don't know why the council organisers don't approach the lottery for help.the royal ballet got £100m which to me is ridiculous .

I got this from the BBC News site: Trafalgar celebrations announced Lord Nelson died at the Battle of Trafalgar A series of celebrations have been announced to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The event on 23 October 2005, which marks Admiral Lord Nelson's most famous victory, will focus on Portsmouth where his flagship HMS Victory is based. There will be a review of vessels from 30 countries as well as a remembrance service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, where Nelson is buried. Celebrations will also be held in Trafalgar Square under Nelson's column. The Queen, although not officially confirmed, would traditionally carry out the military review. HMS Victory will host a VIP dinner Helen Drake, spokeswoman for the Trafalgar 200 events, said: "This will extend the 600-year-old tradition of the fleet review into a modern symbol of international maritime friendship and co-operation." The 200th anniversary of Nelson's death takes place on 21 October, 2005, with a VIP dinner on board Victory as well as by numerous events in the Portsmouth area. Other celebrations include a son et lumiere (sound and light show) at Portsmouth on 28 June, 2005. The Royal Navy fleet will be illuminated amid a firework display and there will be a theatrical illustration of a Napoleonic-era sea battle. There will also be an International Drumhead Ceremony on 29 June which remembers those who have died in conflict. Decisive battle Portsmouth will also be hosting the International Festival of the Sea in late June, an event held every four years to celebrate all aspects of life at sea and which next year will focus on the Trafalgar celebrations. The Battle of Trafalgar is thought of as one of the most decisive naval actions in British history as it established Britain's supremacy at sea and freed the country from the long-held fear of invasion from Napoleon's armies. The battle off Cape Trafalgar, near Cadiz in southern Spain, pitched the Royal Navy against the combined fleets of France and Spain. Nelson died in the battle after was shot by a French marksman on the Redoubtable as he stood on the quarterdeck of HMS Victory.

like i said john if they can't stump the money then it won't be happening.what a bloody disgrace this goverment is.