General Chat

Breakfast clubs and after school clubs here, are paid for by the parents, and the vast majority of the children who use them, use them because of the parents working. There is a small budget set aside at the school for children who's parent/s are having difficulties either with there child, or the parent has a problem, and being out of the house for longer benefits the child.

who really cares what kind of funeral they will be having? not me - hope my son doesn't pay too much for one, cheapest of everything I hope and just one bouquet of flowers - I shall choose what songs I want and I shall be "planted" [my ashes that is] with my lovely OH in our churchyard where I was christened and we were married - why would anyone want more than that?

John ............


she also did not want a public lying-in state, which is part and parcel of a State Funeral, but not a Ceremonial one


so she had two reasons for refusing a State Funeral ............ which, besides needing approval form parliament, also requires permission from the Queen.

The Queen gave permission for the Ceremonial Funeral, but it is not guaranteed fro a non-member of the Royal Family


It seems that only Winston Churchill and the Duke of Wellington have been accorded that honour.


You don't "apply" for either funeral ................. it is suggested to you


At least, that is my understanding!

Anything remotely approaching asking for it would be considered crass ......... and certain to ensure that you wouldn't get one!

I remember a while back a friend of ours passing away and someone wrote evil comments on a thread much like the ones of a certain poster on this thread. They were told to get lost in no uncertain terms to leave it for another day and to have some respect for the dead. This I think applies to anyone who has recently died. So if anyone wishes to add evil comments I suggest they think about that time and how they felt about someone who had just died who they respected, being slagged off.

Edit

There is a time and place for everything evil remarks are not needed at this time.

That same thought crossed my mind yesterday too Susan!

Some people do care what sort of funeral they have Ann, and if they don't care the family often do, and they are the ones who arrange the funeral.

We have just had to arrange a funeral for a close member of our family, and we took into account what there wishes were, then added what we thought fitting, we took into account the music, the service, what was said, and then the wake, now we are carrying out the wishes of where the ashes will be scattered.

Giving someone a good send off, is a tribute to there life I think.

I'm at yet another funeral tomorrow, too many of them lately :-(

The funeral arrangements had nothing to do with the present prime minister, I believe they were put in place in 2010 under G.B leadership.

The late Baroness was probably shown what the plan was and approved or disapproved some of the arrangements eg not to have a fly-past etc.

I totally understand you Sylvia.
You had to be tough to get ahead.
I was self employed,had guest house and cafe and 2 children,played in a band a few nights a week ,taught music after school in winter....workaholic.
I have a music degree but I had a northern accent..not broad,and couldn't get a job in the local school teaching music because I didn't speak Welsh.
The one who got the job wasn't very good and I had a lot of her pupils to get them through exams .
I love this country but don't always like the attitude of the relaxed way that a lot ,not all,think that the country owes them without putting any effort in themselves.
That is a message Mrs T was trying to get through ,as our present government is now trying to reward those who work.
Must admit though that Her last term she tended to get really autocratic ,and I think power got to her head. :-|

This thread just reminds me of a episode of Steptoe and Son when Albert's brother dies and the family rush back from the service to the house for the share out....cars racing on 2 wheels, some of you will be discussing what she has left and to whom in her will next........just saying :-D

did she still have a home - she was living in the Ritz

Home in Dulwich I think but was invited to stay at the ritz if I understood correctly.

Muffy I think you are right - I will check

She had a suite at The Ritz, I'm sure she probably owns a home somewhere though. She was with her carer and a doctor when she died.

Not a bad place to pass away, especially if she loved it there.

Thank you Lynda for that and I agree with you

Can I just say again, please keep this thread light, for it is supposed to be a thread with no animosity on any side but intended for people to state what they know about the Thatcher era because it was so changing for this country

she apparently had a minor op just before Christmas, but was then unsteady on her feet, and was deemed unfit to return to her home.

So, the brothers who own the Ritz offered her the suite for her use for the "foreseeable" future ................... and so she had lived there for about 3 months

She had 2 carers who took it in turns to sleep there, and a number of friends who visited for short or longer periods of time.

The Ritz was her favourite hotel, and the only place that she apparently went to for meals (lunch) in her later years.


she did apparently still own her own house, but .......... as stated ....... was deemed unable to live there.

When Parliament gets back, it will be most interesting what Milliband says.

The official Labour line is "While she might have been a controversial figure, we respect her personal achievements and political strength"

As George Galloway has pointed out, at least half the country do not want her recognised. He will not be far out in that.

The Queen has attended all State and Ceremonial funerals, so she and Prince Philip would be expected to attend (health permitting) . And the Queen will expect all the same sort of people who lay wreathes on the Cenotaph in November to attend also. And taxpayers will have to stump up the £8m (less a couple of thousand donated by the Second Baron Thatcher).

Large funerals like this can have the effect of uniting the whole country iin grief and admiration. That has happened with all the four Ceremonial Funerals in our Queen's 60 years. Also many of us remember the sombre and moving State Funeral of Winnie 48 years ago. Perhaps this will unite us all in similar fashion.

I would hope that the "half of us" in the country who do not mourn her passing or agree that she was a good PM will allow those who did respect her to attend her funeral and the procession in peace.

If people did not respect her they should at least respect those who mourn her and allow them to pay tribute in peace.

Her home was in Belgravia and where she lived before residing invited at the Ritz.

I agree Guin, however, I'll not be joining them!

I wasnt around but who is this please: State Funeral of Winnie 48 years ago

?

Me neither, Gins.

Winnie - Winston Churchill.