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This clap for Captain Tom idea

776 replies

User133847 · 02/02/2021 20:44

I've just seen a lot on social media about this clap for Tom on Thursday at 8, similar to the clap for the NHS.

I'm a bit ambivalent about this. The one organised the other week was a damp squib and nobody got involved. The weather is still dark and cold (it wasn't in the summer when the pots and pans were out for the NHS). However, for a nation in mourning at Tom's passing, perhaps this could help really bring the country together on Thursday.

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vera99 · 04/02/2021 12:27

There will be another record / download thing of that we can be sure. Calling Elton calling Elton....I'm now having to edit myself thankfully.

Sparklingbrook · 04/02/2021 12:29

Urgh no to Elton or any Bowie songs.

I am still a bit Hmm about the Candle in the Wind Diana thing.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 04/02/2021 12:48

Vera, you need to step away from this thread for a while.
I feel you are about to cross the threshold of insanity.

MarshaBradyo · 04/02/2021 12:49

@vera99

Could the estate of David Bowie possibly release a tweaked Space Oddity (elton is probably at a loose end and has first dibs given his Candle effort before) Ground control to Captain Tom sort of thing...
Made me laugh
MrsMigginsPie · 04/02/2021 12:51

I’m all clapped out. Public displays aren’t really my cup of tea anyway. Appreciate Captain Tom as a great character who was very inspiring at a time when we need it, but don’t want to clap.

Toddlerteaplease · 04/02/2021 12:54

@stairway

The Diana death behaviour was extremely embarrassing for a nation known for our stiff upper lip and I felt sorry for the royal family during that time. It’s just sheep mentality though. It’s the same thing with this captain Tom thing, yes he was a sweet elderly gentleman but he was no more remarkable then anyone of his generation. The war generation were all pretty remarkable with their resilience and fascinating stories to tell. However if you don’t join in with the hero worship or question the rationale behind sending a 100 year old half way across the world during a pandemic you are considered a troll.
Agreed
TableFlowerss · 04/02/2021 13:02

@Puzzledandpissedoff

Nothing on my road either - so I was amused to see a neighbour's FB post this morning, insisting that "everyone was out" and that she'd "led the clapping"

How does anyone lead clapping anyway? Stand on a box? Bark like a seal to encourage the less enthusiastic? Chuck a few fish?

🤣😂
CandidaAlbicans2 · 04/02/2021 15:37

Could the estate of David Bowie possibly release a tweaked Space Oddity (elton is probably at a loose end and has first dibs given his Candle effort before) Ground control to Captain Tom sort of thing...

And sung by Michael Ball I suppose 😆 It's a no from me but I suspect many people would love it.

Tiktokersmiracle · 04/02/2021 15:47

Apparently, Jeremy Vine has demanded a state funeral now too
You know, middle of a bloody pandemic when financially the country is screwed

It's literally ridiculous now

In any other year he might have gotten into his local paper, raised a couple of grand.

I would rather investigation into how he died of Covid if he did indeed catch it in hospital, considering the hospital's are meant to have hot and cold wards to separate covid risk.
And what of the people who died alone? Or teachers told schools were safe and go back or get sacked? However many hundred bus, train and tube drivers. NHS staff who passed away. What about them?

JaimeLeeCurtains · 04/02/2021 15:53

@AuntieStella's Mr Bennett post has delighted me.

cantmakealifeofit · 04/02/2021 16:08

I will say it again, who the fuck do these people think they are making demands over the funeral of somebody they’ve never even met? It’s bad enough when the regular old joe’s do it but even worse from celebs who just want to be praised for how good and down to earth they are. I don’t think Tom would want it, he seemed down to earth and wouldn’t want to be martyred in this way.

The ONLY thing I see as even remotely appropriate is the family live-streaming the funeral for those who want to watch it, but that is only if the family want that.

BorderFarce · 04/02/2021 17:20

He's not Tinkerbell. No amount of clapping will bring him back.
It all reeks of politicians wanting to appear caring.

Quaagars · 04/02/2021 17:22

He's not Tinkerbell. No amount of clapping will bring him back.

Ugh,
These comments.
Just why?
Envy

(not envy)

AllMyPrettyOnes · 04/02/2021 17:24

Apparently, Jeremy Vine has demanded a state funeral now too
You know, middle of a bloody pandemic when financially the country is screwed

I just can't get my head around some people ... madness

iwannafurloughmydp · 04/02/2021 17:26

Dear, please no ! Let’s get creative and do something else. Exactly... like planting trees or promoting Peace.. whatever.
No more clapping.

By the way, with al the respect to the good intentions but you can see on his dear family member’s face how much they just wanted to mourn his pass instead of putting their pretty faces on national television a few hours after he passed away... blimey ! People should have gave them at LEAST 7 days to mourn in peace !!!!
I feel for them :(

Familyshopper · 04/02/2021 17:30

I think they donated enough the last time

Borisjohnsonshairbrush · 04/02/2021 17:31

I lost my grampa this morning at 3am to covid. I'm broken. This is real true grief.

People crying on national TV over a chap they never met? C'mon.

earnshaw47 · 04/02/2021 17:32

bit controversial but i think we should have a statue as a lasting reminder for his services to NHS and our country

derxa · 04/02/2021 17:32

@AllMyPrettyOnes

*Apparently, Jeremy Vine has demanded a state funeral now too You know, middle of a bloody pandemic when financially the country is screwed*

I just can't get my head around some people ... madness

That was a despicable show today. He got a caning for it on Twitter.
duffeldaisy · 04/02/2021 17:35

The reason we know about Captain Tom nationally is because he rose millions for NHS charities at a time when NHS workers were struggling with not being given proper PPE they needed.

He was a good man, and I'm very sorry he passed away. But I don't think that we should be encouraging NHS funding through elderly people (or people who have other difficulties - there's a man who's paralysed who's walking every day with robotic help for the NHS too). It's wrong. We should be funding the NHS properly in the first place.

I lit a candle for him, but I'm not clapping. The best way he can be honoured is by people voting for a government that funds the NHS properly and doesn't sell bits off to private companies. Then other brave and kind people like Captain Tom don't feel obliged to do something out of desperation to raise money.

cherish123 · 04/02/2021 17:38

Lighting a candle would be a better idea. I never saw the point of clapping. It's the same as marching - never achieves anything. It's great what Tom did for the NHS and it's sad he died in hospital but there are ways other than clapping to honour him and others.

Wills · 04/02/2021 17:54

So post this event would it be ok to refer to it as 'The Clap' or even Captain Tom's Clap??

Passenger42 · 04/02/2021 18:01

I like the idea of naming a hospital after him best.. seems fitting and would be easy to do.

Familyshopper · 04/02/2021 18:02

You’ve missed it it was Wednesday not Thursday

HerculesMuligan · 04/02/2021 18:12

@duffeldaisy I completely agree. Anyone who wants to ‘honour’ him in some way should do it through ensuring the NHS is as well-funded as possible. Forget any public virtue signalling, instead honour him privately next time you’re voting and are about to put a cross in a box.

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