Falklands : BBC/MoD Team in Falklands to Help Plan 25th Anniversary of Conflict
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 05.04.2006 (Article Archived on 19.04.2006)

A BBC/MoD team has left the Falklands after seeing first hand the battle sites and memorials of the 1982 Conflict with Argentina.

BBC/MOD TEAM IN THE FALKLANDS TO HELP PLAN 25^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONFLICT

By J. Brock (FINN)

A joint BBC and MoD team have just completed a visit to the Falklands in order to see first hand where the major events of1982 took place so they can plan for commemorations of the 25^th anniversary of the 1982 conflict with Argentina.  The team, consisting of Chris Pickthall (MoD Ceremonial Events and Commemorations Team), Melissa Maynard (Directorate Defence Public Relations), Jeremy Turner (Technical Manager for BBC Outside Broadcasting), and David Pickthall (Executive Producer BBC Events) arrived last week and, along with Lewis Clifton, Chairman of the 2007 Committee, visited San Carlos, Goose Green, Darwin as well as various locations around Stanley.  Mainly the team investigated possibilities for live broadcasts during the 2007 commemorations.

“The dates are clear, the 14^th of June, and that is the first event we will be looking at and we have come to see what you are planning to do down here so that some way that can be linked up with what we are doing in the UK,” said David Pickthill.

Thanks to Lewis Clifton’s efforts the team also met a number of people who will be participating in the events that are planned from the 12 to the17th of June 2007.

“Up until this time the 2007 Committee have been trying to create a skeleton for the programme of events in June that might extend over a several day period.” said Mr. Clifton.

Significant personalities, who were involved in the decision making in the liberation of the Islands could be invited to join in on the Falklands end.  They will take part in a basic programme that will be enhanced by a Military Band.  They are hoping as many dignitaries as possible will arrive before the June 14^th event as Islanders are never sure about the weather.

Liberation Day will follow the same pattern as in past years but, according to Mr. Clifton, this pattern will be elongated to suit the circumstances of the day and the particular visitors who will attend the commemorations.  A public holiday will be declared for Friday 15^th of June and there will be other activities related to the liberation and on Saturday, 16 June there will be a re-dedication of some of the mountain tops to commemorate the significance of events 25 years on.  On Sunday it is hoped to link up with some of the programmes that are being arranged in the United Kingdom.

“There are two primary focuses in the Falklands.  One will be a rather large service, given that we will have a Military Band.  At San Carlos there will also be a re-dedication of the Blue Beach Cemetery.” He continued.

The Venue will move to Mount Pleasant, where, in fine detail, all the aspects of thanksgiving will be taken forward by expressing gratitude – a very public gratitude – for the sacrifices made in 1982 by H. M. Forces.

“These commemorations are being taken very seriously by the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence,” said David Pickthill.  As soon as the announcement is made by the Minister responsible for the commemoration is made there will be a lot more detail about what is happening at the UK end,” Mr Pickthill continued.

Though there will be a number of veterans at the 14^th of June commemoration, a larger visit will take part later in the year during the better weather.  The committee are still sifting through the huge number of suggestions that were made about what should happen during 2007.

It is suggested that commemorations in the Falklands Memorial Chapel will start the media ball rolling, with commemorations in Stanley being broadcast second, with the speech at the annual Reception at Lincolns Inn bringing things to a close.  We will just have to wait and see what is going to happen in more detail.

As for the team, they came in outstanding weather and really enjoyed their visit.  Jeremy Turner simply doesn’t want to go home on Tuesday – who can blame him?

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