Merchant Navy Day in Bolton

[Captain Kong]

Today, 3 September 2013.
I went to town to the Cenotaph on the Town Hall Square. nothing was going on, No Wreaths on the Cenotaph. The Square full of foreign people, languages of the world around me.
I looked at the Town Hall, the Flag Staff where the Red Ensign usually flies on this day was Empty.
It has all been done in previous years But today nothing.
I went into the Town Hall, where is the Mayor, I was escorted out of the Corridors, Staff only. You will have to join the qeue I was told, a qeue of Niqab clad Bhurkas and various Foreign types. why are these people here, I asked. my escort from the Corridor said it is for Benefits. Is the Mayor at the front? I asked.
No you will have to make your inquiries there.
Anne walked out, saying, I am not standing with that lot.
I walked to the front of the Qeue. Mutterings in various Khyber languages behind me,.
I want to see the Mayor, the lady said , you cannot he is out.
Here is a phone number.
I came home very upset and angry.
I have just phoned the Town Hall, A lady said the Mayor is out. I said is he outside laying a wreath?
No he is busy.
I said Do you know what day it is, Yes its Tuesday
I tried to explain to her what the Merchant Navy Day, a lot of Bolton Men were killed, including, Billy Dempster, 15 years old torpedoed off Cape Race, 17 year old Joe Farnworth killed on the Gloucester Castle with Lou at the time. and so , and it had been observed in previous years.
She went away , came back and said the department didnt know about it.. so they will hoist the Red Ensign this afternoon.
I hung up in despair.
I felt as tho` I was flogging a dead horse. wasting my time.
The only Red ensign visible in the whole of the Town was on my car and outside my house.
I bet people thought it was a football flag for United or something.
Brian.

[Jim Brady]

I wonder how many Town Halls through out the country especially towns with shipping connections know about Merchant Navy Day.Bootle Town Hall has lots of memorabilia dedicated to Johnny Walker and many seaman from Bootle lost their lives in the Merchant Navy WW1 and WW11 but it would surprise me if anybody in the Town Hall knows about today and I would be surprised if there is a flag flying anywhere in the Borough to celebrate the day.They would most probably associate the date with the outbreak of WW11 if they were taken to task.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Ivan Cloherty]

.They would most probably associate the date with the outbreak of WW11 if they were taken to task.
Regards.
Jim.B.

Jim you could ask a million people, whether indigenous or not, what day war was declared at the start of WWII, you would be lucky to get 10 correct answers.

The Red Ensign is flying on the Torquay Town Hall, it was a long battle some years ago, and mine is proudly flying and will remain so for the rest of September, Never saw any others on my six mile walk today even though I had requested some for the seafront, maybe next year!!

[Captain Kong]

I campaigned for the Merchant Navy Day to be observed in 2000, and a hell of a job it was trying to educate the Town Hall Staff. I went into several offices and being turned away and sent to another one, as they did not understand what I wanted, The usual answer was , "What is A Merchant Navy?".
I eventuall got it recognised, but today nothing. they have forgotten.
I phoned the Town Hall again half an hour ago, the same lady said we are going to put the Ensign up this afternoon. she said that earlier
So it is still not up and the only people who will see it and take no notice are immigrants. .
I think Gulliver got his facts wrong when he said the Population of Bolton is only 7% ******. I was a minority today.
They do not recognise MN Day.
We are determined to get out of town, .
Brian.

[Jim Brady]

Brian I remember having to do some calls in Bolton around about 1976 and I passed a cinema which had been taken over by Asians and all Asian films were being shown I couldn't believe what I was seeing.I was looking for some guy and the address turned out tobe an Irish club so you must've had quite a large Irish community there. I was surprised about 3 months ago on TV it was showing Bolton market I was expecting to see lots of Asians and as it happens I didn't see one,stall holders or customers,are they in there own area which doesn't include the market.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Captain Kong]

Hi Jim they have their own shopping areas, I am surprised they do not have their own currency.
They have no Loyalty to Britain. But it is not their shopping areas it is where they live and how they destroy it.
Cheers
Brian.

[George]

Brian it surprises me that none of your migrants know about MN Day. Many of the colonials as they were back then helped to man the ships of our once large merchant service. Mined I understand your frustrations, and can't understand why we can't have a minutes silence for MN Day, as a token of thanks for all the Brave seaman( indigenous or colonial ) that perished in the fight for Britain's survival in two World Wars.
George
in Southampton

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, Hi Captain Kong , just been on the blower to my mate Laurie 88 yrs he was on the convoys like my dad R.i.P and uncle George R.I.P. your right people dont care anymore BUT we do......

[George]

Well Well, I have just watched the BBC national and local news and not a mention of Merchant Navy Day Yet the local news was able to remember the diver that discovered the Mary Rose. Plenty about our American cousins posturing over Syria. But no word about MN Day
George
in Southampton

[Captain Kong]

Hi Davy,
if that was 2001 then a lot more have come in as well as been born in the last 12 years. That was at the start of when Phony Bliar opened the flood gates.
They do get paid by our Government to breed, and they certainly do with their very large families, it is a growth industry.
As Colonel Ghadaffi said before he was killed. "We dont have to fight you, we will take over with numbers.
Still I dont think it has any bearing about MN Day, apart from the uninterest of the local population in anything to do with WW2 and Britains once great fleet of ships and men that were lost trying to feed our nation and logistics for the Armed Forces.
I guess times are a changing.
Cheers
Brian.