Is This Really A Good Idea?

[youngmafbog]

OK, hats off to them for getting stuck in, but surely the security subsequent entourage required could actually hamper the real work?

http://news.sky.com/story/1211614/william-and-harry-help-with-flood-relief

[solvitquick]

There've been months in which the establishment could have helped.
The locals did not need inspiration as they were virtually left on their own.
It's only happening suddenly this week.
Surely nothing to do with inches of water in Thames west of London surely,
I like the two princes but they could have done much better if they beat the politicians to the punch, Also their money would have been more useful than lifting some sandbags.
SIQ.

[naomi24]

Good for them. It's more than the moaners are doing.

[sandyRoe]

The Duke of Windsor's words, when he was Prince of Wales, 'Something must be done'( though nothing was, then) must be ringing in their ears.

[jomifl]

I'd have thought that with their financial resources they could have paid a few unemployed labourers to do it more effectively ...or have I missed something?

[emmie]

i think they are two decent blokes, that sometime get a bad or dodgy press.
they are doing what many are not, helping.

[emmie]

pretty unlikely they will be asking for money, both do charity work,

[DaisyNonna]

Yes jom, you have. Money doesn't cure everything.

[sandyRoe]

Could there be more to this than meets the eye? Their father dipped a toe into this when he appeared on a makeshift throne on the back of a tractor trailer last week. Has he sent his lads out to shame the government?

[Bazile]

//I'd have thought that with their financial resources they could have paid a few unemployed labourers to do it more effectively ...or have I missed something? //

Yes - a missed PR oppurtunity

[Peter Pedant]

as the army in charge - General Advice or someone - said

are they ? Good on them !

General Advice was obviously up to date as any first world war general could possibly be

[tamborine]

Datchet is better than Caribbean hols - even I know that ;)

[jomifl]

Daisy, in this case it could achieve more, but well done to them anyway..:o)

[solvitquick]

The princes and others might learn two things at least:
(a) Sandbags don't work at stopping water - they merely give a short delay;
(b) Sandbags then get much heavier to remove when the water level falls;
(c) Water always finds its own level.
Anyway they tried and unlike their father, who is super-glued within a
light-grey suit even when surveying forces abroad, they dressed for the conditions.
No moans, just think they were badly advised as to timing and of the risk of a backlash from many who have been annoyed by the dilly-dallying, not just for months but many years.
There are times when mere gestures without any visable results are best not done at all.
SIQ.

[emmie]

poor bastards just can't win.

[ludwig]

// No moans, just think they were badly advised as to timing //

I think the timing's spot on SIQ. When there's lots of flooding going on that's the perfect time to undertake flood relief work.

[tamborine]

They did tell the papparazzi to down their cameras & help but the press said "they hadnt got waterproofs".

[Ann]

Bless them, this would not have happened years ago, they are so determined to be normal and not to be stand offish royals. Well done to them I say!

[solvitquick]

divebuddy,
My points about sandbags and the fate of invading water were based on direct observational experience of sufferers in two towns over many decades.
The points "lettered" (a) - (c) were general comment and not aimed at our princes in particular. The "number" 2 learning points were in (a) only. But I reckon they know it anyway. Badly phrased by me tho' divebuddy.
As regards the obvious weight of wet sandbags, I doubt if the princes will be removing them so no "learning" point there.
However you disagree about the value of sandbags - remember that we are discussing a mass flood disaster, not prevention of a single tidal or rain event which results in inches of water.
Short of building a solid impermeable wall, water does reach its own level. Given a gap or permeability and the physics holds as the princes would agree.
During this terrible situation, I will not be getting involved in further dispute.
SIQ.