Obwon
2003-11-27 16:50:32 UTC
GROUND FARCE 1
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/content_objectid=13652625_method=full_siteid=106694_headline=-GROUND-FARCE-1-name_page.html
Nov 23 2003
Queen's fury as Bush goons wreck garden
Exclusive By Terry O'Hanlon
THE Queen is furious with President George W. Bush after his
state visit caused thousands of pounds of damage to her
gardens at Buckingham Palace.
Royal officials are now in touch with the Queen's insurers
and Prime Minister Tony Blair to find out who will pick up
the massive repair bill. Palace staff said they had never
seen the Queen so angry as when she saw how her
perfectly-mantained lawns had been churned up after being
turned into helipads with three giant H landing markings for
the Bush visit.
The rotors of the President's Marine Force One helicopter
and two support Black Hawks damaged trees and shrubs that
had survived since Queen Victoria's reign.
And Bush's army of clod-hopping security service men
trampled more precious and exotic plants.
The Queen's own flock of flamingoes, which security staff
insisted should be moved in case they flew into the
helicopter rotors, are thought to be so traumatised after
being taken to a "place of safety" that they might never
return home.
The historic fabric of the Palace was also damaged as
high-tech links were fitted for the US leader and his
entourage during his three-day stay with the Queen.
The Palace's head gardener, Mark Lane, was reported to be in
tears when he saw the scale of the damage.
"The Queen has every right to feel insulted at the way she
has been treated by Bush," said a Palace insider.
"The repairs will cost tens of thousands of pounds but the
damage to historic and rare plants will be immense. They are
still taking an inventory.
"The lawns are used for royal garden parties and are
beautifully kept. But 30,000 visitors did not do as much
damage as the Americans did in three days.
"Their security people and support staff tramped all over
the place and left an absolute mess. It is particularly sad
because the Queen Mother loved to wander in the garden just
as the Queen and Prince Charles do now.
"Some of the roses, flowers and shrubs damaged are thought
to be rare varieties named after members of the Royal Family
and planted by the Queen Mother and Queen.
"Other Royals had their own favourite parts of the garden as
children and some of those areas have been damaged."
The Queen's insurers have told her she is covered for
statues, garden furniture and plants she personally owns,
but the bill for repairing damage to the lawns and the
structure of the Palace will probably have to be picked up
by the Government.
The Americans made alterations to accommodate specialised
equipment. The mass of gadgetry meant the Royals couldn't
get a decent TV picture during the visit.
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/content_objectid=13652625_method=full_siteid=106694_headline=-GROUND-FARCE-1-name_page.html
Nov 23 2003
Queen's fury as Bush goons wreck garden
Exclusive By Terry O'Hanlon
THE Queen is furious with President George W. Bush after his
state visit caused thousands of pounds of damage to her
gardens at Buckingham Palace.
Royal officials are now in touch with the Queen's insurers
and Prime Minister Tony Blair to find out who will pick up
the massive repair bill. Palace staff said they had never
seen the Queen so angry as when she saw how her
perfectly-mantained lawns had been churned up after being
turned into helipads with three giant H landing markings for
the Bush visit.
The rotors of the President's Marine Force One helicopter
and two support Black Hawks damaged trees and shrubs that
had survived since Queen Victoria's reign.
And Bush's army of clod-hopping security service men
trampled more precious and exotic plants.
The Queen's own flock of flamingoes, which security staff
insisted should be moved in case they flew into the
helicopter rotors, are thought to be so traumatised after
being taken to a "place of safety" that they might never
return home.
The historic fabric of the Palace was also damaged as
high-tech links were fitted for the US leader and his
entourage during his three-day stay with the Queen.
The Palace's head gardener, Mark Lane, was reported to be in
tears when he saw the scale of the damage.
"The Queen has every right to feel insulted at the way she
has been treated by Bush," said a Palace insider.
"The repairs will cost tens of thousands of pounds but the
damage to historic and rare plants will be immense. They are
still taking an inventory.
"The lawns are used for royal garden parties and are
beautifully kept. But 30,000 visitors did not do as much
damage as the Americans did in three days.
"Their security people and support staff tramped all over
the place and left an absolute mess. It is particularly sad
because the Queen Mother loved to wander in the garden just
as the Queen and Prince Charles do now.
"Some of the roses, flowers and shrubs damaged are thought
to be rare varieties named after members of the Royal Family
and planted by the Queen Mother and Queen.
"Other Royals had their own favourite parts of the garden as
children and some of those areas have been damaged."
The Queen's insurers have told her she is covered for
statues, garden furniture and plants she personally owns,
but the bill for repairing damage to the lawns and the
structure of the Palace will probably have to be picked up
by the Government.
The Americans made alterations to accommodate specialised
equipment. The mass of gadgetry meant the Royals couldn't
get a decent TV picture during the visit.