Flowers At The Site Of Woolwich Murder

[Anngel]

I know that this is not going to be a popular suggestion, indeed I will probably get shot down in flames...but does anyone else agree that the waste of money sending flowers for these could be better spent by a charity donation to...say...Help for Heroes? I am sure there is no reason why they could not set up a system where people can register their sympathies so the families can see them too.

I remember having a similar thought when they left that huge mountain of flowers for Diana. Not only is is a massive waste of money, but the clear up cost and subsequent landfill issues cannot be ignored.

I remember my father being scathing the first time Live Aid aimed to make money by entertaining. maybe it is time someone (any ideas who?) should make this suggestion where this kind of public sorrow comes to pass.

[daisya]

Think I can agree with the donations to charity instead of buying flowers, it would do much more good IMO. We seem to have adopted this (now tradition) of laying flowers at a specific place of tragedy as I don't ever recall it happening years ago. I do at times think of the waste not only of money but the flowers too which soon die unfortunately.

[GlenB]

Yes, I agree.
Close to where I live, flowers were left at the scene of a fatal accident which must have happened the best part of a year ago. The remains of the flowers and wrappings are still there and to me it seems that the victim has been totally forgotten.
Talking of Diana's funeral, another practice which I think started then, is that of clapping as the coffin passes by. It became the norm at Wootton Bassett.
I'm perhaps old fashioned and perhaps won't be popular by saying it, but I feel that at such solemn events silence is more fitting.

[Brinjal]

Yes donations in lees name to help for heros would be a good idea but I guess people have their own way of showing their emotions at a time like this.

[Brinjal]

Even donations to a trust for his child would be helpful.

[bednobs]

at the site of a recent crash on a very busy road near swindon, i notice police had to warn people who wanted to leave flowers not to stop their cars on the side of the road to do so. Are people that stupid that they have to be warned? Yes they are!

[Twenty20]

Clapping at Wootton Bassett etc is probably a good thing as these sometimes attract the wrong element wanting to make some sort of protest. At least it drowns them out. Same happens at football now, where in place of a minute's silence you get a minute's clapping. Drowns out the idiots who can't keep quiet, for whatever reason, for one minute.

Flowers at places like Woolwich are, I guess, a way many people make a statement of solidarity against the terrorists who perform such acts. Giving money to help the heroes doesn't physically show people's feelings about such atrocities. I can see that many would see it as a waste of money etc but as a way of showing how the public in general feel it's quite good.

[Misky]

I left some flowers at the door of my mam's friend, because she wasn't in when I called. She said that when she came home there were three bunches there - people thought she had died! Luckily she thought it was as funny as I did....

[EvianBaby]

To be honest I can never understand these public outpourings of grief for total strangers anyway. Sure I understand the empathy aspect, it's not like I have no feelings but it sometimes seems like a competition to see who can prove they are most upset. And if I was a victims relative or friend I'd feel a bit like others were just piggybacking on my grief. I find it weird.

[Everhelpful]

Couldn't agree more,Anngel,I have said it many times before. At my Wife's Funeral she made it absolutely clear NO money was to be spent on flowers,which She loved,by the way,and any donations were to go to a Cancer Charity.Nearly £600 was donated on the day.

[Everhelpful]

Should have said before Funeral,obviously,but you know what I mean.

[naomi24]

People just want to pay their respects. Nothing wrong in that. I do think a fund is a good idea though, and I've no doubt one will be set up.

[spudqueen]

I can see how it's considered a waste of money, but I think that leaving flowers must touch the hearts of his family to see how total strangers were moved to action by this tragic death.

[mikey4444]

Memories of Diana still haunt me. All the millions of pounds that must have been wasted on florists and soft toy makers. I never met Diana but I am sure that she would rather have had the money going to one of her charities instead. A few flowers to sure some ones grief is OK but not thousands.

Its just gesture politics I'm afraid ...give your money to Help for Hero's rather than waste it.

[netibiza]

People have to show their grief and appreciation in their own ways, there will be some who donate and others who lay flowers.

[DJHawkes]

The Diana fund is up to £112million, the leaving of flowers had little negative impact on the fund, this will be the case here, help the heroes have been inundated with purchase orders for their products. If I were closer to Woolwich I would leave flowers, it's a positive thing. Not a waste at all.

[joko]

some just want to be 'seen' to be caring ...probably even some just want to be on the news.

i think its ok if the person was family or friend, but a bit unnecessary if a stranger.

books of condolence are best