I have been pottering about and having a very relaxing day and caught up with the papers later than usual.
So I was stunned to see my letter about Concorde pubished in The Times today. Before printing anything I had scribbled together, the paper always calls to check, 1. whether the letter was exclusive to them; 2. my marital status; 3, my full address and 4, inform me of any amendments they were making.
But I had no call and the letter was published regardless of their previous crtieria, hence my surprise.
This is a little hobby of mine and I enjoy helping friends and clients by writing letters to The Times and Telegraph. One of my previous letters in The Times was published just after David Cameron won the Tory leadership and Carol Thatcher beat off stiff competition in “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”. I can’t find the link, but it said:
“If Carol Thatcher can be crowned Queen of the Jungle after winning the hearts of viewers when ranked as a 33-1 outsider, competing against the youth and appeal of soap stars and a footballer’s wife, this surely must be an excellent omen for the future of the Conservative Party. This could mark the renaissance of the Conservative Party – and when putting together his team of advisers and Shadow Cabinet, David Cameron would be well advised to create a position for her that would maximise her winning qualities and popularity with the public.”
It was written very much in cheek, but I enjoyed the reply I received from an outraged man who pointed out that as Carol Thatcher had peed in public, there was no way she was suitable for any kind of public office. I don’t think he realised that Carol had no idea the cameras were recording this very private moment.
Back to my gardening now, though I will catch up with The Derby as I have again put a tenner on my hero, Horatio Nelson.
Update: Sadly, my hero lost this battle, it was a tragedy, just like his namesake.
Congrats on the letter in The Times. However:
Ahem:
From New Scientist for 15 February 1997:
“CONCORDE, the supersonic airliner, may be destroying the ozone layer far faster than anyone anticipated, by leaving a hitherto unnoticed fog of sulphuric acid in its wake. Worse still, subsonic aircraft are probably doing the same thing, adding an unexpected threat to both stratospheric ozone and climatic stability.”
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg15320692.500.html
From the National Archives CAB 184/191: 1971-1974: Economic prospects for Concorde:
“This file reveals considerable scepticism within government about the viability of Concorde, with Michael Heseltine (then Minister for Aerospace) reportedly describing it as ‘a hopeless project’. Despite an internal report concluding that there was ‘no economic case for proceeding with the aircraft’, with overall costs projected at £1 billion (1970s prices), the government decided to press ahead. The primary factors which influenced this decision are revealed to be the actions the French might take if the project were cancelled, such as blocking Britain´s EEC ratification or suing the British government to recover the cost of French investment in the aircraft. Concerns about job losses and industrial unrest also played a part in the decision to continue.”
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/releases/2005/highlights_february/february21/list.htm
From The Economist for 8 December 2005:
“Several firms are now racing to develop a new breed of supersonic passenger aircraft. These planes will use new technology to ensure that they are quieter, more efficient and capable of turning a profit—something Concorde struggled to do throughout its 27-year lifespan. The new aircraft will differ in another way, too. To start with, at least, they will probably not be airliners, but much smaller business jets.”
http://www.economist.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=5244048
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Bob, I did wonder about the ozone layer impact, and of course, that worries me a lot.
I am interested to know know more about the supersonic passenger flights. Thanks for your amazing info again.
In case it’s of wider interest to readers, motivation for digging for info comes from belonging to a lively current affairs discussion group in the local branch of the “University of the Third Age” (U3A).
“U3A was founded in 1981 by three friends, all distinguished in their own field and embarking on the ‘third age’ of their lives. Peter Lazlett, Eric Midwinter and Michael Young. They met in Cambridge to discuss the intellectual and cultural prospects for older people. France had already set up in 1972 their Universités du Troisieme Age and some Cambridge academics saw this as their model. Peter Lazlett made a visit to the continent and on his return pronounced the organisation admirable in its way but too elitist – Second Agers, mostly men, deciding what Third Agers should learn. The three friends knew that older people were perfectly capable of teaching each other. It is this mutual learning principle, forming a learning cooperative, which marks our organisation in the UK from other U3As around the world. The three set about getting the organisation off the ground.”
http://www.ealingu3a.org.uk/history1.htm
The UK national website of U3A is here:
http://www.u3a.org.uk/