Nelson's Column
Link To Us Bookmark
March
Political Correctness Reaches New Heights 24th March 2006
Standing tall in the shadow of Nelson's Column
The announcement by the Mayor’s Office of a new annual festival set for the weekend beginning April 1st has opinions divided. ‘High Times’ is intended to celebrate the contribution of tall people to the city. Happening in Trafalgar Square the event will comprise elongated performances by a collection of vertically conspicuous bands, over-stretched speeches by a number of tall celebrities (including footballer, Peter Crouch, and Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson), not to mention a whole host of appropriately elevated stalls and information stands organised by tall clubs and manufacturers from around the UK.

Promoters point out that tall people are an oft overlooked section of the population: “Most people are totally unaware of the problems tall people suffer simply due to their height. Inadequate bed length, low doorways and unfashionable clothes - the list is endless. Hopefully this festival will heighten awareness and give tall people a raised forum for discussion.”

Tim Towers, 6ft 5" from Bethnal Green, was keen to point out that advice for tall people is not readily available: “People with every other disability have somewhere they can turn, so it’s great to see us tallies getting a mention for once. Tallness isn’t a disability as such, but it can make life really hard at times.”

All well and good, but you have to ask the question: is this political correctness gone too far? Every year Londoners love to celebrate diversity through events like the Diwali, the St Patrick’s Day Parade and Black History Month. These festivals all, undoubtedly, add something to our vibrant city. But a festival for tall people? What next? Will I be popping down to the local Big Ears Club to learn about how I was scarred for life by taunts in the playground and advice on where to buy an extra large pair of ear muffs?

Good intentions can lead to ridiculousness at times, and it’s hard not to detect a faint air of condescension. My Dad is a tall guy at 6ft 4" and I’ve rarely heard him complaining (his mouth's positioned high above my normal hearing range!). In fact, being tall has conferred him many advantages (picking fruit from tall trees, playing badminton etc.). Fine, tall people make a contribution, but there are plenty of minority groups out their, and not all of them can have a festival.

I know I won’t be out in Trafalgar Square on 1st April. And if you turn up you're a bigger April fool than I am. You won’t be able to see the stage anyway.
Black Cab Hailed a Winner
London’s iconic Black Cabs have been voted top British Automotive Design by readers of the influential Auto Trader magazine. The sleek black taxis received 42% of the votes, with the Mini coming a not-very-close second with 18%.
Closet Water Stunt
Performance artist Mark McGowan’s plan to leave six taps running for a year at secret locations throughout London has been branded “irresponsible” by Thames Water. Intended as a protest against water privatisation, the stunt will send 100 million litres down the drain.
Fiddler on the Roof?
Work on the new Wembley Stadium halted this month when part of the roof dropped off. 3000 workers were evacuated after hearing the enormous bang made by the piece of steel falling 3ft. Nobody was hurt, although a few prides were slightly dented.
October 2009
26th October
Posties Strike a Chord
26th October
Frieze Still Pleases
September 2009
26th September
A River Runs Through It
23rd September
Blogging is Best
August 2009
26th August
When Saturday comes
22nd August
Bring on the Bikes
July 2009
27th July
Against the Clock
20th July
View for a thrill
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
18th February
New Photography Laws
12th February
Glitz and the Pitts
January 2009
27th January
Setting the Standard
21st January
Too Much for Posh Nosh?
December 2008
23rd December
January is on the Horizon
20th December
Merry Christmas
November 2008
26th November
All The World's A Stage
20th November
Surviving the Crunch
October 2008
24th October
Boris v Jingjing
17th October
Soaps in Pole Position
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
23rd April
By George
11th April
Back to the 80s
March 2008
February 2008
20th February
Dark, Satanic Turnmills
6th February
A Diamond in the Drink
January 2008
21st January
People Wanted for Plinth
14th January
Boo! Hiss!
December 2007
28th December
Tate That - A Hirst for Art
20th December
Christmas Shopping
November 2007
27th November
Mind the Gap
26th November
London On A Tray
October 2007
26th October
Leaving the Station
14th October
The Sky's the Limit
September 2007
August 2007
24th August
Heathrow under Siege
17th August
Gormless
10th August
Losing Face
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
23rd March
So, Another Magazine
16th March
Avoiding iContact
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
26th May
Curvaceous Border
12th May
Vegging Out
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
20th January
February Sales
20th January
Moby Sick
13th January
Glass Half Full
3rd January
Three Cheers for the Tube Station Workers
December 2005
22nd December
January Bites
16th December
A Remarkable Year
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
29th July
Moving On From 7/7
22nd July
Get loaded in the park
15th July
Victoire!!
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
30th December
Party Pooper
23rd December
The Second Battle of Trafalgar
16th December
Sadie's Year
November 2004
28th November
Ripper-Watch
21st November
Kinky Boots
14th November
Smoked out
October 2004
22nd October
Yuppie Meal
15th October
Fines of Fury
8th October
No Twist in the Turner
September 2004
17th September
Battleships, bloodsports and Batman
10th September
Clique Week
3rd September
Return of the Bard
August 2004
July 2004
 
Link to Political Correctness Reaches New Heights
To link to this page from your website use this code.
 
 
The link will appear on your page as:
 
Home | Contact us | Terms & Conditions | Link to us | Marketing | Partners | Subscriptions
Sponsor
Our favourite London hotels
May Fair Hotel
Luxury Hotels
 
In Trafalgar Square
20% off
 
At Liverpool Street
50% off
 
At Green Park
35% off
 
Near Covent Garden
30% off
 
Cavendish Hotel
Mid-range Hotels
 
Near Parliament
35% off
 
Near National Gallery
47% off
 
Near Tower Bridge
35% off
 
In Little Venice
40% off
 
Discounted theatre tickets
Chicago
57% off
 
29% off
 
42% off
 
56% off
 
47% off
 
38% off
 
Diner & Theatre Deals
Oliver
from £24.50
 
from £29.00
 
from £32.50
 
from £42.50
 
from £45.00
 
from £27.50
 
London Sightseeing
London Eye
10% off
 
10% off
 
10% off
 
from £8.50
 
from £25.00
 
10% off
 
LondonTown.com has special discounts every week. The amount of discount will vary depending on the dates you are coming and how far in advance you book. All discounts are subject to availability.
Recently viewed Favourites
Recently viewed