9 years ago this week, the Royal Tournament opened its doors for the final time. The 'LAST RUN' was performed to packed houses from 20th July to 2nd August 1999.

The RoyalTournament.org website has been created to keep alive the traditions of the Royal Tournament which ran from 1880-1999.

Roger Sheppard, Bracknell, UK

I took part in the Royal Tournament in 1963. I have always considered that time to be the highlight of my12 years in the Royal Navy. It was a privalage to be part of the tournament. We lost a great shop window to the world in 1999

Roy Bramley, Nottingham, England

Bring Back The ROYAL TOURNAMENT.

I was at the centenery Royal Tournament in 1990 and i was discusted to find it is no longer running.

i was only 12 back then and would go again if and when they revive it. BEST Thing i've ever watched.

just shows what our boys do day in day out for US ALL.

Ben Mortimer, Bristol, England

I can hear the gay community of the Earl's Court area excitedly powdering thier noses now!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Mike Lockslate, Yeovil,

2nd August 1999, the last Field Gun run - I was there!, and shed a tear or two like so many of us ex-field gunners that night.As an artist I expressed my feelings by painting an oil painting deplicting the demise of Field gun,can be seen on www.portsmouthfieldgun.com
Bring back the Tournament !.

Tony Standish, Odense, Demark

the royal tournament meant so much to . i was an active member of Th Portsmouth field gun crew and it made grown men cry when it laid to rest . it would be a day when it gets resurected. i now live in australia and tell so many people about it
bring it back for the country and also the forces

kevin blackhall, maroochydore queensland, australia

I agree that the Royal Tournament should be brought back and the work of our Armed Forces should be something to be proud of and shown to the rest of the world. BRING BACK FIELD GUN!!!!!

Nicola Knoll-Pollard, Gosport, England

The Royal Tournament should be re-instated, we should be proud of our armed forces and celebrate their achievements and the Tournament was the perfect vehicle for that.

Simon Rose, Woking, Surrey

The Royal Tournament gave
an insight into the teamwork required by all branches of HM Armed Forces envied worldwide.


The cost of staging the Tournament could be considerably reduced by using only British Service personnel and less foreign novelty acts.Bring back the RN Field Gun competition.

Brian Potts, BOIS, France

My father ran for the Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Crew and I am disappointed that I will never be able to take my daughter to the Royal Tournament and show her the sights and smells of such an amazing memory from my childhood. She will never have the opportunity to see what Grandad did. Bring it back!

Jacqui Millbank, Fairford, UK

The Tournament used to be a three week spectacle. The first two weeks recovered the money spent on setting up the tournament, the third week was where the profit was made. In 1995 the Tournament was cut to two weeks...one of the reasons the tournament was cut because no profit was being made!!

Gary Scully, Yeovil, Somerset

Please...all those who want the Tournament reinstating take a look at this petition 'Bring back the Royal Tournament'

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Tournament/

Gary Scully, Yeovil, Somerset

I ran for the Fleet Air Arm in the '60's and '70's and still remember the look of excitement on all the children's faces.
The Royal Tournament was a fantastic showcase for the Armed Forces and responsible for many recruits. It demonstrated the absolute focus and discipline of our military services.

Jerry Piotrowicz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We who are about to die, entertain you.

steve lloyd, swansea, UK

The Royal Tournament was the "Shop Window" for recruiting youngsters into the services.

The Field Gun Event was referred to as the toughest team event ever and taught self-discipline, determination and team work. Qualities missing in the majority of todays youngsters.

Josh Morris, Lanzarote, Spain

Whilst thousands of our young people hang around street corners often crazed with alcohol, damaging themselves and others, the Armed Forces struggle to attract recruits . What better advertisement than a military tattoo/tournament to show how to use their undoubted talents. It works in Edinburgh!

Karl Cleghorn, MUSSELBURGH,

I grew up on the Tournament and it had a massive influence on persuading me to join up.
Bringing it back would be the best decision going.
Where do I get tickets!

Regie , Cornwall, UK

Take the tournament on tour! Not just London, but all Major UK citys.
Our Armed Forces, are about the strength and commitment of our people! Bring it back and bring it up to date! Give the ceremonial bands and horses the heave ho! They have no place in today's armed forces! It's about teamwork.

Jim Harwood, Basingstoke ,

I always loved the tattoos on TV as a boy. Now, instead of the race with the gun-carriages, I am looking forward to watching the Inter-Service Cannibalization race, in which teams rush against the clock to build one serviceable weapon of war from the spare parts of numerous broken ones.

Simes, Sevenoaks,

The Royal Tournament should not cost much to stage, after all, the soldiers are paid whether they are in Earls Court or Basra.
Or do the 'management consultants' get their snouts in the trough?
What next? Rememberance Day cancelled because of cost?

GJB, Slough, Berkshire

Scraping the Royal Tournament was the the most stupid thing to do as regards to enlistment of men and women into the armed forces. Youngster's watching in awe as navel men manovered tons of equipment at speed whilst competing in the Field Gun Competition was as good as it gets for recruitment.

philip campbell, chichester, west sussex

Having been every Year since Birth, and even eventually appearing in the 'Old' Royal Tournament, THIS IS GREAT NEWS.

Finances, were the main reasons it was halted, mainly because the 'Accountants' could NOT Quantify how many people Joined the Armed Forces as a result of visiting/seeing it!

Richard Thompson, Ex-RN PO, Gosport, Hants

Tony Blair, what a nasty bit of work he was, sending our troops into battle without good equipment. He cut defence spending in real terms and put our boys in harms way while the dirty little coward pushed a pen from behind his plush desk.

D Case, Newquay,

Where are the troops to come from for the new Royal Tournament? There are fewer of them and are more overstretched than in 1997. If the forces-hating Gordon wants to promote respect for the armed forces, then a few ministers with service experience or sons and daughters serving would not come amiss.

mnairb, Hove, U.K.

About time too!

Bill, Belfast, N.I.

We attended the last three tattoos and had a brilliant evening each time. American baton twirling was a bit naff, they couldn't keep straight lines or time. The Foreign Legion with their leather aprons and axes was interesting. Nothing can beat the precision and dedication of our British forces.

Sally, Letchworth Garden City, UK