Wootton Bassett: The Town That Remembers.

Having lived in Wotton Bassett since I was four, I never expected my tiny little market town to ever become the centre of media interest. Since moving to Aberystwyth for university I've found myself appreciating the place even more so, partly due to being home sick and part of my reason for watching the BBC documentary was for nostalgic reasons. 

The TV documentary which aired 9pm BBC1 9th May 2011 did our town great justice. I was particularly pleased it showed just how far along the high street our community will line the High Street, it can be up to six miles, far far away from the camera eye, proving to all that we do not do this for the "fame" or the media circus. In fact we have been lining the streets to repatriate long before the media showed any interest. It is traditional to stop in the street, remove your hat and bow your head whenever any hearse passes, civilian or not. This is just on a much larger scale because of the sheer quantity of lost men.

The actual TV show was tastefully and sensitively done. Told through the story of one single repatriation, that of Ranger Aaron McCormick, 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, from County Londonderry. It makes the documentary feel much more personal, showing how the family was affected, visitors and residents too. A particularly poignant part for me was the Old Veteran who saves all the notes and cards left with flowers, he collects them and saves them in a book. It was heartbreaking to watch him read though personal messages of grief and love. My eyes were barely dry throughout the whole show.

The Reverend Woodhouse of Saint Bart's Church, as it's affectionately known, was interviewed and I couldn't help feeling his words were meant to be a backlash at the more pessimistic comments our town has received. He firstly stated whole heatedly and rather enthusiastically that our community spirit existed long before the repatriations  began. I however, was pleased at this snippet of voracious patriotism, as much negativity has tried to cloud the honourable act the town does.  Many people are probably hoping this documentary will stick two fingers up to Steve Bell from the Guardian and his vile "Royal Wootton Death fest" cartoon.

Praise for Mr Singer, who is known for making sensitive films, including the 9/11 Falling Man, a 2006 documentary which focused on the story and picture of a man photographed falling through the air from the World Trade Centre after the September 11 attack in 2001. His delicate perception of our town was both excellent and thought provoking. The vast amount of positive tweets has shown how this documentary has touched the nation. "Wootton Bassett" quickly became a top trend and rightfully so, I personally couldn't be more proud to be from Wootton Bassett right now. There were no fallacies or exaggerations in the documentary, the town of Wootton Bassett do not do this for media attention, we genuinely respect every fallen soldier, regardless of our own political affiliations or our opinions on the war, the loss of such young men touches everyone emotionally. If you are dubious, I suggest you come pay your respects yourself and simply feel the atmosphere. There really is a unified sense of sorrow and respect.