Tie a Yellow ribbon around the tree
30th July 2009
A local lady who regularly uses the village forum to express her thoughts about the local community has written how she has been all consumed of late with, not only with the deaths of British soldiers in Afghanistan but how shabbily our government is treating our Armed Forces.

Fujumi, alias 'Misted Heather' on her personal blogspot, said "However, upon reflection I’ve come to appreciate that it is not only British troops that are fighting out there but soldiers from other UN countries.

Whatever country they come from, they leave behind family and friends to worry about their safety and whether they shall ever see them again. I regret that I did not consider this sooner for other Nations are suffering losses, it’s just a case that our media do not report the fact.

Troops in Afghanistan would like to know that people back home are supporting and thinking about them.. So, what simple but expressive way can we show them they are not forgotten?

Yellow ribbons have always been a symbol of hope. The American people embraced this idea during their military campaigns overseas by tying yellow ribbons on front doors, fences or around a tree. It symbolises hope for the safe return of their troops and also expresses to their families that their people support those who are in the service of their country.

Our troops are fighting a war and receiving little support from the British government. Let us, the British people do it for them by hanging yellow ribbons on our door, even pinning it to the dog if need be…wherever, whenever….an act of unity to show our troops that we care."

On her blogspot Misted Heather recalls that she has received her yellow ribbon through the post on the 20th July 2009. She purchased it on eBay so it came very cheaply. I chose the waterproof ribbon and used a permanent marker pen to inscribe on the tail of the ribbon, "Support our Troops".

"I followed a link on the internet on how to make a bow and it turned out really well. She has made 3 bows out of the 10 metres of ribbon. One is proudly displayed on my front door and has proudly secured another round a tree in Lyneham Village Green."

Fujumi explains "The word I am hanging onto at the moment is "hope". Hope that this symbol of the yellow ribbon will relay to the public that our troops need our support during these difficult times. Hope that our Armed Forces return home safely to us.

Hope that war is ended and we all shall live in peace. A tall order but it is what most of us want."