British town gets royal title

For the first time in more than a century a British town is getting a royal title. So for our Geo Quiz, we’d like you to name it. The name change was approved by the Queen in appreciation for what’s become a tradition in the town.

This town is near a royal air force base, where the bodies of British soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are flown home.

When the flag-draped coffins are driven through the town, shops close and residents line the streets to honor the war dead. They often stand silently alongside war veterans and the soldiers’ families. Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement today:

“I know the whole House will wish to join me in paying tribute.. Their deeply moving and dignified demonstrations of respect and mourning have shown the deep bond between the public and our Armed Forces”.

The town’s about 85 miles west of London, in between Lyneham air force base and the coroner’s office in nearby Oxford. That base is scheduled to be closed so the processions will soon be re-routed. But in recognition of the residents’ patriotism, the town is being honored:

“Mr Speaker, it has been over 100 years since a town was conferred with the title of Royal. I can today confirm to the House that Her Majesty the Queen has agreed to confer the title Royal on the town of Wootton Bassett as an enduring symbol of the nations admiration and our gratitude to the people of that town. The town will become Royal Wootton Bassett later this year in a move I believe will be welcomed across our country”.

And Wootton Bassett, now known as Royal Wootton Bassett, is the answer to our quiz.

One local said today:

“We didn’t go out of our way to get it, we just came here to say a final farewell to the troops that were coming through.”