Anyone going to see the Queen when she comes to Sheffield on May 22nd when she opens the winter gardens :D

I wonder what HM will make of our city?

Do you think they'll clear up the mess that was Surry Street last time I was in that part of town?

I would like to go but sadly shall most likely be on holiday, I respect and admire our Queen as I think she is the best, and most dedicated of all the Royals. Also she has had a lot to put up with in recent years, all the divorces, fire at her castle, death of Diana, the Monarchy losing popularity, and last but not least she is very brave and strong.

Definitely not. I'm not in favour of the royal family and would give them all early retirement if I could.

Ahh... I sense a good opportunity to hand-out some SheffieldForum flyers! Anyone want to give me a discount on printing? :wink:

Originally posted by "geoffbowen"

Ahh... I sense a good opportunity to hand-out some SheffieldForum flyers! Anyone want to give me a discount on printing? :wink: i'll print it for free dont call me slaterpublications for nowt

Originally posted by "geoffbowen"

Ahh... I sense a good opportunity to hand-out some SheffieldForum flyers!

I heard her maj uses the internet... perhaps you could get a link from the buck house website? ;)

Originally posted by "Andy"

I heard her maj uses the internet...

If that's true, I won't type what I was going to in fear that she may read it and execute me for treason! :lol:

But in short, I don't agree with having a (german/greek) Royal family. :lol:

Did anyone see the 100 worst Brits programme?
The queen came in at number 10.
We are not amused. :lol:

Originally posted by "Jon"

Anyone going to see the Queen when she comes to Sheffield on May 22nd when she opens the winter gardens :D
Do we get the day off to go and see her. If so then I'm all for it.

Anyone going to see the Queen ... when she opens the winter gardens

Isn't she a bit late for that?

The British royal family are Germans, their name is "Wetting" and as you say Prince Phillip is a Greek Prince, they changed their name to Windsor for obvious reasons.

However, who are we to criticise as we are all mongrels anyhow, germans, french, Italians, Danish, Swedish, Norway, everyone is a mixture of races in whichever country they live.

Originally posted by "halevan"

However, who are we to criticise as we are all mongrels anyhow...

... but we are not all royals! :wink:

Who wants to be? no sir, not me! would not mind their privelidges though!

Originally posted by "halevan"

I would like to go but sadly shall most likely be on holiday, I respect and admire our Queen as I think she is the best, and most dedicated of all the Royals. Also she has had a lot to put up with in recent years, all the divorces, fire at her castle, death of Diana, the Monarchy losing popularity, and last but not least she is very brave and strong.


so it doesn't bother you that they leach off all us tax payers and the fact that they have always lived in the lap pof luxury....they own all these paintings by all these famous artists that we the people do not have access to even though they belong to us!!!!!????? get real!!!

Originally posted by "MISS SIXTY"

I would like to go but sadly shall most likely be on holiday, I respect and admire our Queen as I think she is the best, and most dedicated of all the Royals. Also she has had a lot to put up with in recent years, all the divorces, fire at her castle, death of Diana, the Monarchy losing popularity, and last but not least she is very brave and strong.


so it doesn't bother you that they leach off all us tax payers and the fact that they have always lived in the lap pof luxury....they own all these paintings by all these famous artists that we the people do not have access to even though they belong to us!!!!!????? get real!!!

I wouldn't say they all leach off us! Some don't carry out enough duties but some do more than enough. Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

[mod edit]Edited out the bold in the quote[/mod edit]

Originally posted by "Lickszz"

Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

People often come out with this one, so go on then, exactly how much does the monarchy bring in to this country?

Originally posted by "Mike"

Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

People often come out with this one, so go on then, exactly how much does the monarchy bring in to this country?

nice one Mike I was gonna say the same thing ...hooray for Mike :lol:

Cool, I'll go and see Her Maj. What day is it? Am I right in thinking the 22nd is a Thursday? Anybody know what time she's due?

EDIT - To answer my own question: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/whats-new/royal-visit---may-22

Originally posted by "Lickszz"

Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

......they might generate money love....but they spend a hell of a lot too! :evil:

Originally posted by "MISS SIXTY"

Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

......they might generate money love....but they spend a hell of a lot too! :evil:

They don't spend any money, everything is given to them. Have you not followed the story of the royal butler and all the freebies the royals get? There's so much of the stuff they don't even notice when the staff 'liberate' items.

Originally posted by "maxt"

They don't spend any money, everything is given to them. Have you not followed the story of the royal butler and all the freebies the royals get? There's so much of the stuff they don't even notice when the staff 'liberate' items.

....so when the Queen had to pay off the Queen Mother's overdraft which used to be in the millions every year....... I suppose the Queen used to get given the money???....by whom .......you? its gotta come from somewhere love :evil:

[mod edit please don't over use bold - Sidla]

Miss Sixty,
Please stop shouting we are not deaf, if we didn't have the royalty we might have something a lot worse. This Queen is a good woman she is dutifull, decent , loyal to this country, dedicated, and above all is an excellent example to us all.

All right, they all live in the lap of luxury and want for nothing which is their birthright, but they all work hard so do not forget that. It is better than living under a corrupt President ,who is salting million's of pound's away in foreign bank's for his own personal benefit.

Don't forget people like Saddam Hussain and a lot more in the world who are responsible for stealing vast sum's of money from the people, among the less sinister thing's that they do.

My vote goes to our Royal family every time, with all their fault's.

Originally posted by "halevan"

This Queen is a good woman she is dutifull, decent , loyal to this country, dedicated, and above all is an excellent example to us all.

She does not do the job for the love of it

All right, they all live in the lap of luxury and want for nothing which is their birthright, but they all work hard so do not forget that. It is better than living under a corrupt President ,who is salting million's of pound's away in foreign bank's for his own personal benefit.

They are equally extravigant as a president...the only hardest worker is Princess Anne

Don't forget people like Saddam Hussain and a lot more in the world who are responsible for stealing vast sum's of money from the people, among the less sinister thing's that they do.

I'm sure the queen has a few skelatons too

My vote goes to our Royal family every time, with all their fault's. ...so sad

Originally posted by "MISS SIXTY"

Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

......they might generate money love....but they spend a hell of a lot too! :evil:

But they generate their wealth or at least the more important ones do. The amount of tourists that the monarchy brings in alone is enough to justify.

The world is fascinated by our Monarchy.

Originally posted by "Lickszz"

The world is fascinated by our Monarchy.

Fascination isn't always a good thing :wink:

Originally posted by "MISS SIXTY"

...so sad
That's a strong argument. :roll:

One reason why we should keep the Queen: President Blair.

Originally posted by "Lickszz"

Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

......they might generate money love....but they spend a hell of a lot too! :evil:

But they generate their wealth or at least the more important ones do. The amount of tourists that the monarchy brings in alone is enough to justify.

The world is fascinated by our Monarchy.

Pro royals always use this argument.
I have no idea how much they bring in but do you honestly believe that tourists come here just for the queen. I think not!!!

What about all our wonderful buildings, Houses of Parliament, marvelous scenery, National Parks, picturesque coastline, arts & culture etc etc etc.

Visitors would still come if we got rid of the queen because we have so much to offer. As I said earlier, pension her off :evil: and the sooner the better.

Originally posted by "Mo"

Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

......they might generate money love....but they spend a hell of a lot too! :evil:

But they generate their wealth or at least the more important ones do. The amount of tourists that the monarchy brings in alone is enough to justify.

The world is fascinated by our Monarchy.

Pro royals always use this argument.
I have no idea how much they bring in but do you honestly believe that tourists come here just for the queen. I think not!!!


you'd be surprised, last figures i saw the Direct revenue from tourism due to the queen was double or triple that of which they spend/we give them

Anyone who visits this country just because of the royalty needs to get a life.

I can't believe that there's that many tourists who come here just because of the royals, they probably just include Buckingham Palace on their tourist tick-list .... "Aww gee honey, ain't these Brits just quaint?"

So, what useful function do the royals perform apart from perpetuating a myth of a long lost Britain?

Originally posted by "Mo"

Have you ever considered how much money the monarchy brings into the country?

......they might generate money love....but they spend a hell of a lot too! :evil:

But they generate their wealth or at least the more important ones do. The amount of tourists that the monarchy brings in alone is enough to justify.

The world is fascinated by our Monarchy.

Pro royals always use this argument.
I have no idea how much they bring in but do you honestly believe that tourists come here just for the queen. I think not!!!

What about all our wonderful buildings, Houses of Parliament, marvelous scenery, National Parks, picturesque coastline, arts & culture etc etc etc.

Visitors would still come if we got rid of the queen because we have so much to offer. As I said earlier, pension her off :evil: and the sooner the better.









people use the arguement because it's a valid one. Ever been to America? One of the most commonly asked questions by Americans to British people is Do you know Charles etc? might be a stpuid question but it shows how important they value our monarchy. Ever spent much time outside Buckingham Palace? Watched the thousands of Japenese tourist photgraphing the place each day?

I am not a fan of royalty - however if you knew the amount of trade they help generate by their "visits abroad" you might be glad to have them.

My only niggle is that they have far too much wealth which should be reduced. The top monarchy Queen, Charles and to a lesser extent Andrew and Edward should be paid a wage for the work they do and then if they get freebies off companies - so be it.

Its like most things in life - there's good and bad points and not everybody will be happy.

Originally posted by "Lickszz"

people use the arguement because it's a valid one. Ever been to America? One of the most commonly asked questions by Americans to British people is Do you know Charles etc? might be a stpuid question but it shows how important they value our monarchy. Ever spent much time outside Buckingham Palace? Watched the thousands of Japenese tourist photgraphing the place each day?

But is it a valid argument? I'd like to see the figures that show how many tourists come to Britain specifically because of the royal family because I can't see that it would be that many - would you visit a country just to stand outside a palace and take a few photos.

People keep saying the bring this country lots of money, but where's the facts?

The main problem I have with the royals is that they house an immense of amount of art treasures which actually belong to the nation (us). Theoretically, you can request to see them but as far as I can work out you need to know what it is you want to see and whereabouts it's being held. Then they send you a list of possible viewing times so that the royals won't be bothered by peasants wandering around their homes (which we own too).

Chiz, chiz.

Originally posted by "Lickszz"

One of the most commonly asked questions by Americans to British people is Do you know Charles etc? might be a stpuid question but it shows how important they value our monarchy.
No, all it shows is the stupidity of Americans TBH.

Not all Americans value our monachy. In fact, there are probably more Americans who value John Lennon than the Queen... IMHO :wink:

The yanks don't (hope my apostrophe is in the right place, don't want to upset Tony and Sidla) have any heritage, Columbus and his mates only found the place a couple of hundred years ago.

That's why they like our heritage, the nearest thing they have to a castle or a stately home, is some colonial slave owners house in the deep south.

When they come over and see medieval fortresses and buildings that have been around for 1000 years they go goo goo.

They also think they all have ancestors over here and are some how related to the queen, some of which is probably right .

Apologies to any yanks reading, but keep coming and keep spending your cash.

An interesting article ont internet

Our “splendid” Royal Family is surrounded by expensive pomp that is entirely unnnecessary and anachronistic. Moreover, I believe that such extravagant and ostentatious behaviour is inappropriate when so many in Britain have to tighten their belts to get by. I’ve no problem with being wealthy per se (especially if you’ve worked hard to earn it), but the Head of State should try and set an example to the people.

The Queen currently receives income from the following five official sources:

the Civil List. This is for official expenses relating to her role as Head of State (and Commonwealth too), currently fixed at £7.9 million per year (although the royals have made some savings, and this surplus will be carried forward to reduce future payments).
The Privy Purse—traditional income for private as well as public use.
The Grants-in-Aid from Parliament for maintenance work on the palaces and travel expenses.
Personal investments and income derived from privately owned estates (Balmoral, Sandringham, West Ilsley Stables, and Sunnninghill Park).
Avoiding inheritance tax on the Queen Mother’s estate (OK, maybe this one isn’t official).
Even if estimates of her private wealth have been exaggerated in the past (through the erroneous inclusion of state owned items), it is clear that the Queen is a very wealthy woman and would continue to be if Britain became a republic. Indeed, it’s rumoured that Liz has hundreds of millions tucked away in trusts and secret share holdings (secret due to a Palace exemption from certain elements of the Companies Act). Some of the art treasures in the Royal Collection belong to her as well, so if she’s ever skint she can pawn those! Oh, and on that subject, do you remember that certain parts of Buckingham Palace have been made open to the public for a tidy little fee? And that income generated from this exercise was solely intented to be made available for restoration work carried out on Windsor Castle following the fire there? Well, once that had all been paid for, the Palace took it upon themselves to divert the extra money in to the Royal Collection Trust - thereby usurping the authority of the Public Accounts Committee and depriving the State of some cash.

Savings and Earnings in a Republic
Examples of potential cost cuts and improved income generation under a republic:

Much of the Queen’s income is spent on official duties, staff, and maintenance of state-owned properties. Obviously this sort of expenditure would continue under a republic because a President would have official duties as well, would need staff, and listed buildings should be cared for. However, the pomp of official ceremonies would be vastly toned down, less staff would be required (the President would dress him/herself!), and the extensive court that surrounds the monarchy would obviously be redundant.


An accountable President, whose expenditure would be completely open to public and Parliamentary scrutiny, would be inclined to be more efficiency minded.


The Civil List contains payments to the Queen and funding for her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, as well. He receives £359,000 per annum (probably spent on guns). This extra payment could be immediately wiped out. Only one person - the Head of State - needs to be supported in their activities by the country's taxes.


With the former Monarchy forced to live in their private residences, more (and more of the) state owned palaces and properties would be made available for public viewing. It's entirely likely that more people would visit these sites and therefore more income would be generated for the Treasury. Such income could then be spent on the things that really matter to all of us - the NHS, education, etc. I do not accept the argument that less people would visit Britain if we no longer had a monarchy; most current tourists only get to see the public buildings and ceremonies as it is. Other than the jubilee, the site of a royal in public is a rare thing indeed.


Decreased security costs - if the President fulfils only a ceremonial role (less people to protect).


Decreased travel expenses - if we have a ceremonial President, there will be fewer in the entourage, less security, better use of existing methods of transportation.


The phrase “time is money” applies here, too. The time saved by disposing of unnecessary events like the State Opening of Parliament could be better spent by the affected institutions e.g. more time could be spent debating the issues on the Government’s agenda by Parliament.

What's the URL for the above article? (Apart from you breaching copyright, I'd like to see where it came from :wink: )

(Please stop using bold for your posts too ... :roll: )

Originally posted by "Tony Ruscoe"

What's the URL for the above article? (Apart from you breaching copyright, I'd like to see where it came from :wink: )

http://monarchyout.members.easyspace.com/money.html

(Please stop using bold for your posts too ... :roll: )no

this is interesting ...however I believe that this is just the tip of the iceburg
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/uk/2002/the_royal_accounts/travel.stm

Originally posted by "MISS SIXTY"


(Please stop using bold for your posts too ... :roll: )no
Yes.

Other savings would include not having to paint or clean things immediately before a royal visit.

"Ooh, Philip, why do common people smell of either disinfectant or turps?"

Originally posted by "Mike"

people use the arguement because it's a valid one. Ever been to America? One of the most commonly asked questions by Americans to British people is Do you know Charles etc? might be a stpuid question but it shows how important they value our monarchy. Ever spent much time outside Buckingham Palace? Watched the thousands of Japenese tourist photgraphing the place each day?

But is it a valid argument? I'd like to see the figures that show how many tourists come to Britain specifically because of the royal family because I can't see that it would be that many - would you visit a country just to stand outside a palace and take a few photos.

People keep saying the bring this country lots of money, but where's the facts?

No, I wouldn't personally but I know there are people who would. Japanese etc are famous for their love of photography. Its not just tourism though, they do ambassador work. I do agree there are too many hanger on which need scaling down.

Rather than getting rid of the monarchy, some major reforms might satisfy some of the doubters. Hholland is a monarchy and they seem to live quite easily with the idea of having a king or queen. Our royals appear to hang onto the idea that they are in some way a cut above the rest, merely by accident of birth. To me this is only one step removed from believing in the divine right of kings a clearly nonsensical state of affairs for the 21st Ccentury. It makes me angry when people like the Earl of Wessex, having made a pig's ear of his production company can choose to concentrate on cermonial duties. Only the Queen and maybe the Prince of Wales should get any support. As for the rest of them , they should take their chances in the real world like the rest of us.

I agree with you Jess one hundred percent, nice one. Hal Evans.

I heard the City Council or us the Tax payers are paying £7000 for a red carpet when the Queen comes to Sheffield anyone else heard about this?

Originally posted by "Jon"

I heard the City Council or us the Tax payers are paying £7000 for a red carpet when the Queen comes to Sheffield anyone else heard about this?

Not heard this amount but it is believable. Where is your source Jon?

I wouldn't mind the Royals so much and I would be all for a Monarchy...but what it boils down to is money........surely everyone can agree that they don't need as much money as they have.

Let them keep Buckingham Palace.......but nothing else.....make them allow access to all the jewels and paintings etc that they have....and I might just have a little more respect for them

What's with the bold font? Do you have trouble with your eyes?

Originally posted by "maxt"

What's with the bold font? Do you have trouble with your eyes?


....as a matter of fact yeh I do!

Only asking, no need to shout.

Originally posted by "Lickszz"

I heard the City Council or us the Tax payers are paying £7000 for a red carpet when the Queen comes to Sheffield anyone else heard about this?

Not heard this amount but it is believable. Where is your source Jon? Sorry Lickszz its not £7000 for the red carpet its £8,472 was in the Sheffield Star May 15th.

Originally posted by "Jon"

I heard the City Council or us the Tax payers are paying £7000 for a red carpet when the Queen comes to Sheffield anyone else heard about this?

Not heard this amount but it is believable. Where is your source Jon? Sorry Lickszz its not £7000 for the red carpet its £8,472 was in the Sheffield Star May 15th.

£8,472 for a carpet? That's nuts. You'd need 847 American tourists to have a tour of Buckingham palace to pay for that.
I'm against the Royal Family in principle. I don't go for this tourism line, if you ask Americans what they consider to be the top tourist destinations in Europe, the royal family come a long way down the list. Top is the Eiffel Tower. I suppose we could build a slightly bigger tower and store the Queen in it, that would beat the French, but I can't see that happening (in the life time of this parliament anyway).
But the problem is the Royal Family are a fundamental part of our system, even though it's only symbolic. To remove them would take an astonishing amount of soul searching amongst the British people to decide what we really want as a nation, not to mention a huge amount of money. Drafting a new constitution from scratch is easier said than done.

edit - and another thing, I've just seen the Queen's train arrive from my office window. SHE HAS HER OWN FREAKIN' TRAIN! How many American tourists must it take to pay for that?

edit - and another other thing, she has just driven past in her car. So someone drove her car up and her train. Why both???

Well said chill...

And another thing: it's just cost our company an absolute fortune whilst we all stopped working and watched "her" drive past... so even more money wasted! :lol:

I think we all object to the cash the royals cost us

Even those of us who pretend we dont

What I really object to more though is this idea that we are meant to look up to them and CURTSY!!!!

This highly disfunctional family, various members of which are drunks, abusers, cold, thick, vain, arrogant....stop me when you have had enough - who would make a whole series of Kilroy all by themselves, and we are supposed to BOW DOWN to them

They are supposed to be superior to us

Do me a favour

(A model post there, not a swear word in sight, lots in my head though)

Originally posted by "LouiseB"

....stop me when you have had enough -

I'd like to see someone try.

Yes, it can make interesting viewing, much more interesting than an aged rich woman on an expensive carpet...surely?
x

I have a brother-in-law used to be in the navy and had to present his sword to Brenda back in the '70s. I keep asking him why he didn't chop the old trout's head off. Something about career, treason, getting blood on his poncy white uniform. Wimp.

:arrow: :lol:

.......why doesn't Cherie Blair courtsey in fron of old Lizzie...is it because she doesn't believe in a monarchy?

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/3050105.stm)

The Duke of Edinburgh chatted with staff and asked one group of parents if they had been at the school in the "bad old days".

The women looked baffled after they said they had. The Duke then joked: "So that's why you can't read and write then."

I love these Prince Phillip-isms. That's at least one reason why the Royal Family must stay!

I managed to get a good look. Did anybody manage to get any photos? It would be good if someone could post a few.

If you liked that then you'll love these:

http://www.theinternetforum.co.uk/rf/philip1.html

Not sure if it hasn't been posted somewhere else but can't be ar**d looking.

Why all this fuss about a carpet? the old one was threadbare anyway and had to be replaced, same as the one in your home that needs replacing!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by "halevan"

Why all this fuss about a carpet? the old one was threadbare anyway and had to be replaced, same as the one in your home that needs replacing!!!!!!!!!!

I know why all the fuss... because carpets are meant for indoors - not outdoors. We don't all walk on carpets to get into / out of buildings, so why should she!?! :roll:

Originally posted by "halevan"

Why all this fuss about a carpet? the old one was threadbare anyway and had to be replaced, same as the one in your home that needs replacing!!!!!!!!!!


if you think she should have a carpet then perhaps you wouldn't mind forking out the money from your own pocket....we don't all have the same views as you where the monarchy are concerned

Many people also believed that the war was wrong but the tax-payer still payed for it.

Of course you do not, what a boring old world if everyone had the same opinion. You have your views, but I also have mine!!!