Crowd control

simoncp · June 2007

Why does the military have so many staff on duty at Wimbledon? Soldiers, sailors and airmen, in uniform and so presumably on duty, can clearly be seen standing around in the aisles and at the entrance to the courts. They are in addition to the odd policemen.

Why are they there and who is paying their wages? Anyone know?

Unknown · June 2007

They are there to watch the tennis. We're paying their wages. Next question?

Smeggers · June 2007

/conspiracy theory/

They are put there by the organisers to look pretty on telly and make Wimbledon seem entrenched in history, part of the British Establishment. Thus safeguarding its place on the Pro-Tour and to make lots of money.

/conspiracy theory/

Hickory Dickory Dock,
A baby elephant ran up the clock,
The clock is being repaired

ankev1 · June 2007

It's a traditional thing. The forces have helped out since the year dot. It probably is a leftover from the time when the CO of a regiment could do anything he liked (legally) with his men. It is now a prized tradition within the forces as it provides a bit of PR for them and the troops concerned get to watch a bit of tennis. Also they're all volunteers for it. One can only assume that only the more mind-numbingly thick kind of soldier would volunteer for Wimbledon but it takes all sorts, I suppose.

Archcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simoncp

Why are they there and who is paying their wages? Anyone know?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It's the BBC you know. They pay for them, out of your Licence Fee (just yours, so each soldier only gets about a pound). They're there to wait for moments when rain stops play, whereupon they will start lecturing the spectators on the benefits of communism...

If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Arch

whereupon they will start lecturing the spectators on the benefits of communism...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Who will pray that it's more interesting than redder's lecture. [;)]

simoncp · June 2007

I can only assume that those who give facetious answers to my question think that a high military presence at a genteel tennis tournament is quite normal. I asked because I find it odd, and I find it odd because I know of no other sports events that require such a presence, excpet perhaps for some football internationals in south America.

Does anyone know why they are there and who is paying them?

simoncp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Patrick Stevens

They are there to watch the tennis. We're paying their wages. Next question?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Why don't they go in their normal clothes and sit down like everyone else then?

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

Oh I don't know, simoncp, have you considered that it might be your fault that people don't take your posts seriously any more rather than everybody else's? Just a thought...

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

simoncp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

Oh I don't know, simoncp, have you considered that it might be your fault that people don't take your posts seriously any more rather than everybody else's? Just a thought...

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

A familiar tack, and a dull one. So do you know the answer to my question or not?

Noodley · June 2007

OK, it's time for me to 'fess up - my family have been paying them all these years out of our own pockets. Great grandfather Noodley thought they were due some form of punishment for killing African tribal members during some pointless military campaign, and it is a tradition us Noodleys have supported down the ages. Not until they stop their pointless military campaigns will they be allowed to escape the tedium that is wimbledon.

Unknown · June 2007

Are the soldiers and airmen there to make sure the sailors don't get captured?

CometGirl · June 2007

They're not paid, and they're there through tradition.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueri ... 27,00.html

There's no better "reason" for it than there is for the Changing of the Guard, or for Chelsea Pensioners, or any of the other little eccentricities that enliven things.

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simoncp
A familiar tack, and a dull one. So do you know the answer to my question or not?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You'd already been given the answer by ankev1... cometgirl's just repeated it for you. There you were all panting with anticipation of being outraged, and now you can't be... still, you can be outraged at my terribly unfair attack on you. Feel better now?

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

the full nelson · June 2007

Navy - There to prevent any tennis players being captured by iranians and having i pods taken off them.

Army - Press the red button and see the end of this sentence[:(!]

RAF - Bcause jets are cool

I pay them in sweets

beow

Tourist Tony · June 2007

It's all a plot by the Milk Marketing Board...

If I had a stalker, I would hug it and kiss it and call it George...or Dick

simoncp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simoncp
A familiar tack, and a dull one. So do you know the answer to my question or not?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You'd already been given the answer by ankev1... cometgirl's just repeated it for you. There you were all panting with anticipation of being outraged, and now you can't be... still, you can be outraged at my terribly unfair attack on you. Feel better now?

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I feel excatly the same as when I asked the question. I get the feling that you've become a bit worked up. What was it about the question that got your goat?

CometGirl · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simoncp

I feel excatly the same as when I asked the question.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You mean you've still got that terrible pain in all the diodes down your left side?

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by CometGirl

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simoncp

I feel excatly the same as when I asked the question.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You mean you've still got that terrible pain in all the diodes down your left side?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[:D]

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

simoncp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by CometGirl

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simoncp

I feel excatly the same as when I asked the question.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You mean you've still got that terrible pain in all the diodes down your left side?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Eh?

Thank you for the Guardian link. I wonder if anyone noticed that the replies to the question in the Guardian were all meant to be helpful replies, and that nobody sent in facetious answers. Or perhaps the Guardian didn't see the need to print the replies that were.

Anyway, the stewarding of Wimbledon by military staff in uniform certainly is an oddity, like some quaint throwback to the days of Empire. I think they should do a deal with the tourist board and get guardsmen in bearskin hats to do the work. It wouldn't look much more bizarre than the current arrangement and might bring in more tourists.

ransos · June 2007

Just because you have a spade, doesn't mean you have to keep digging.

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. There is a humourless depressed robot called Marvin who appears to remind CometGirl of you for some unfathomable reason.

Shame on you, CometGirl, naughty, wicked, evil CometGirl... [;)]

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

simoncp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. There is a humourless depressed robot called Marvin who appears to remind CometGirl of you for some unfathomable reason.

Shame on you, CometGirl, naughty, wicked, evil CometGirl... [;)]

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What a relief! I thought I was being criticised by normal people, not sci-fi bores. You'll be reciting Monty Python sketches to me next.

What about people in shrek costumes stewarding Wimbleodn to bring in the younger audience? I know several kids who thinhk he's just the thing at the moment.

Noodley · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by simoncp
I wonder if anyone noticed that the replies to the question in the Guardian were all meant to be helpful replies, and that nobody sent in facetious answers.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

well, if you wanted helpful replies why did you post in soapbox where everyone knows you.

Flying_Monkey · June 2007

I feel pleasantly surprised not to fit into whatever strange cult it is that you would define as 'normal people' - I do wonder how you can tell.

Anyway, much as enjoy your delightfully witty banter, simoncp, I have to go...

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

ransos · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

I feel pleasantly surprised not to fit into whatever strange cult it is that you would define as 'normal people' - I do wonder how you can tell.

Anyway, much as enjoy your delightfully witty banter, simoncp, I have to go...

Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum
Gonna get my Ph.D.
I'm a teenage lobotomy

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I suspect it's an extremely narrow definition that extends solely to his own beliefs and tastes. For anyone who dissents must be a communist, tree hugger, socialist, guardian reader, bbc watcher....

stelvio · June 2007

An acquaintance of mine was a ball girl at Wombledon one year; but in the photographs she was not in military uniform at the time; could it be she was actually working undercover for the military ? She told me her father worked for the CII, but perhaps I misheard and she really said the CIA ? Why has she not asked for those books back that I borrowed in 1997 - are they actually secret listening devices ?

papercorn2000 · June 2007

Would the soldiers from Trumpton be on duty at Wimbledon or are they doing a tour in Iraq?

How about Action Man? Haven't seen him about recently. Has he been promoted to the general staff?

God told me to skin you alive.
http://www.ekroadclub.co.uk/

Nivacrom · June 2007

I noticed lots of soldiers carrying out crowd control duty on Monte Zoncolan at the end of stage 17 of this years Giro. So there's another example of the troops being used for a sporting event. Money well spent I thought.

Cunobelin · June 2007

I used to know a girl who did this for many years, eventually ending up organising many of the Service women.

They all take leave to do this, so technically there is no "cost" to the exercise.

He that buys land buys many stones.
He that buys flesh buys many bones.
He that buys eggs buys many shells,
But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.
(Unattributed Trad.)

grayo59 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Flying_Monkey

Oh I don't know, simoncp, have you considered that it might be your fault that people don't take your posts seriously any more rather than everybody else's? Just a thought...
---

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[:D][:D][:D]

__________________
......heading for the box, but not too soon I hope!

Crowd control

Comments

Categories