Hi BBC News are filming in Cadiz this Thursday and Friday for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. We'd like to interview anyone who thinks events like these and the story of Nelson in general, is a boost to tourism in the area. Many thanks. Declan Wilson.

yes - but who is Declan Wilson? And is he connected with BBC NEWS? What's the reason for this message ? Does the tourist bus that circles Cadiz make mention of nelson yet? Or is it still going on about the horrid Drake and those English !

Saw a website for the area mentioning that most people are unaware that the Cape Trafalgar in the are is the one connected with the battle!! Or even that it took place locally..

He is a senior producer for BBC News.
Mark Thomson must be cutting back on researchers :scared:

Hello Declan,

I dont think much about the battle but there again I live in the Costa Blanca, well away from Cadiz as I dont think the Spanish like what happend there 200 years ago (LOL)

But you might like to look at this site to see what the royal navy are doing..

Trafalgar 2000

The local Cadiz government and the armed services will be commemorating the battle. They have numerous activities which are listed at this : http://www.dipucadiz.es/Portada/cultura/trafalgar/#2
On the actual anniversary day- this Friday - there will be an an act of remembrance to all those who lost their lives at the Park Genoves which is next to the Parador Hotel. Then later a wreath laying out at sea.
The worst loss of life from one vessel was the Redoutable (French) which was nearly 500 killed. The Achille (French) blew up and had 480 killed and wounded.
The Spanish vessel San Trinidad had 216 fatalities.
It should be remembered that this battle was at France's instigation. Poor Spain had effectively been coerced into being part of the 'combined forces' and Napoleon had been intent on invading English shores.
After the battle, the French prisoners : 210 officers and 4,589 men - were brought to England and detained on 'hulks' or prison ships or land based prisons including Dartmoor prison. The French Admiral Villeneuve was given a choice of any town within 30 miles of London and he chose Reading. An orderly exchange of the prisoners was arranged and in fact Villeneuve was freed after 5 months. He committed suicide after a few days and was found with several stab wounds - but there appears some doubt as to whether he was murdered on Napoleon's orders.
There were English, French, Spanish and many other nationalities killed at the battle. It did succeed in holding off any invasion of England for many years. In fact until the Nazis seriously thought that they could run Europe.

Hi All,

Perhaps he's just taken advantage of that well known senior producers privilege of going on all the "good" trips overseas's and quite a lot is being made of Trafalgar at the moment.

Regards,

John.

Surely not John!

Best

Loco

I bet it is remembered more in Cadiz and Paris than it will be in London. God forbid Brits ever celebrate a victory (no pun intended) over the old enemy, just in case we upset them. FFS