Tour of Britain cancelled following Queen's death

My first though, why? But on second thought perhaps it is right. Advertiser won't want it, and crowds won't come out, at least not to the same extent. It does save me three hours watching highlights.... I wonder if the Last Leg will be off. And what about Bake Off? I hope not, cycling and cake are both close to my aorta.

police leave is cancelled in these circumstances, alot of the outriders who provide the safety bubble for the ToB are police on leave. If you cant guarantee the safety of the peloton anymore you have little option but to cancel

That's interesting. I did wonder about the 'including the understandable reassignment of police resource at this time' comment. I'm still not clear what additional work they think they'll be doing. I assume there's a protocol they'll be following? Wondering now what will happen about the Great North on Sunday?

GNR will be cancelled. All major sporting events this weekend are off. You WILL mourn for 10 days, whether you like it or not...
BBC is also cancelling all comedy broadcasts for the "Period of national mourning", which feels unnecessary to me?

Given the headlines for joe lycett what do you think the fail would say if the bbc allowed comedy? They'd do a special pull out on the bbc.

I think the issue with the GNR will be if people are likely to show up and run it anyway. That would be a potentially greater risk.

IanMK wrote:

I think the issue with the GNR will be if people are likely to show up and run it anyway. That would be a potentially greater risk.

And the millions in charity sponsorship which will have been pledged to/by participants.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-62847065

Especially with the wonderful iPlayer available, and the BBC Sounds app which Tony Blackburn would sell his granny for (but he is nearly 80 so that's quite cheap based on the material content).

AllegedlyAnthony wrote:

BBC is also cancelling all comedy broadcasts for the "Period of national mourning", which feels unnecessary to me?

It's OK, we have some comedy provided right here - just scroll to EnjoyTheRide's humorously feeble contribution (and others scattered around the site) and you'll surely have no trouble pissing yourself laughing.

Mainstream TV sycophancy isn't everyone's cup of tea and there is plenty of comedy and non-royal family content online, including The Royle Family (S1E1).

And both the Vuelta and Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta are continuing.

IanMK wrote:

I did wonder about the 'including the understandable reassignment of police resource at this time' comment. I'm still not clear what additional work they think they'll be doing. I assume there's a protocol they'll be following?

Central London this morning was crawling with police, I'd say at least three times the presence of a normal day. I had a quick chat with a m/c officer at the lights who was somewhat disgruntled because he was supposed to be going on holiday next week, he said "We will be needed for the funeral, obviously, but at the moment we're just riding around without much to do." As you say, they must have their protocols, but it's not the 15th century anymore, I very much doubt someone is going to try and plant a Perkin Warbeck on the throne...

Agree, have a read of an article The Guardian, about the protocols/ procedures after the death of HM The Queen. Most will have been drawn up 50+ years ago.....It really needs to be streamlined.....

Does the new King really have to go all around the country, etc  A statement on TV would suffice.

Questions of legitimacy and paternity shouldn't arrive until the next generation...

It will be to provide a visible presence to reassure the public, as much as just to show there is continuity during a period of significant change than anything else, as well as to be that visible deterrent.

Theres no obligation for sport & events to be cancelled its very much left to the organisers to decide themselves what they do,but like the Tour of Britain it might become a logistics issue that forces then to cancel, but the police role for the GNR would very much be covering the same role theyd now be doing anyway, so theres no reason they couldnt necessarily continue with it and show a mark of respect as part of it if they chose, though I'd expect the traditional Red Arrows flypast would be cancelled.

Awavey wrote:

Theres no obligation for sport & events to be cancelled its very much left to the organisers to decide themselves what they do

Wait until Truss and her followers decide that this becomes a loyalty test: "Did you cry when you heard the Queen died? How many bunches of flowers did you leave in a designated mourning location, in front of how many people?"