SWWood- Location: Dover
- Registered: 30 May 2012
- Posts: 261
Alexander, I would be surprised if there was anything other than overwhelming support for this memorial amongst the people of Dover. In fact, it is also likely that any Australians or Canadians you happened to chance upon would also be in favour. I have just a couple of quick points to add. Firstly, you seem unaware that this is a WW1 & WW2 memorial only. In other words, no soldier killed in the middle east in 2013 would appear on it. Secondly, this memorial is important, both as a symbol of remembrance, and also as an educational tool. It doesn't have to be built in Dover, but it does (in my opinion) have to be built somewhere. It just happens that Dover is the best place for it. One final point, is it not the case here that some people simply don't want large numbers of visitors on the Western Heights (the National Memorial Arboretum attracts about 300,000 per year), and will to block any proposal that may lead to such an outcome?
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Can't see masses of people flooding to Dover to go to a WW memorial.
The Roman Empire passed to Britannia, so the people go to Eastern Heights, where the Roman Light Tower stands next to the Church within the Castle.
It's ours now!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
The nearest equivalent to such a monument in the English-speaking world is the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, which attracts between 4 and 5 million visitors each year.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
The Australian National War Memorial in Canberra attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Our memorial is planned as a Commonwealth memorial.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 1694- Registered: 24 Feb 2016
- Posts: 1,087
Indeed it is.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#41 - "One final point, is it not the case here that some people simply don't want large numbers of visitors on the Western Heights (the National Memorial Arboretum attracts about 300,000 per year), and will to block any proposal that may lead to such an outcome?"
Still not got a proper answer to that question on the 'other thread' other than extremely confused mixed messages from someone who doesn't know their own argument and continually contadicts themself.... makes sensible discussion very difficult
Been nice knowing you :)
SWWood- Location: Dover
- Registered: 30 May 2012
- Posts: 261
On the subject of the cost, the new Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London cost £7 million, paid for by private donations. I guess the same would apply for Dover's memorial. If the idea isn't popular, the donations will not be found and the memorial will not happen.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Times have changed. A name on a slab makes sense locally, for the soldiers of the area, such as in front of the Town Council hall.
But to give a new dimension to remembering fallen soldiers, there are web pages on Internet, where a brief history is given to the name of a fallen soldier.
As said, I can't see masses of people flocking to Dover to a WW memorial.
People want to see something like displays of weaponry when visiting war museum, pictures of soldiers, pictures of battles.
People won't come to see stone slabs with millions of names written on them.
DDC won't risk this memorial project, it's to risky, it might become a soap-bubble, an added expense that doesn't pay off.
Visitors used to come to Dover as pilgrims to see churches, and travel on to Canterbury.
Visitors come to see the White Cliffs and the Castle, to stroll through Dover.
To see lively displays, enactments, the regatta or whatever, but not stone slabs.
The names of the fallen are written in local churches or in front of Council offices, in town halls...
The cash flows won't happen, people won't come to Dover and spend money because of a WW memorial.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
People of the Commonwealth number approximately one third of the World's population - so a serious amount of people.
People still go on pilgrimages to see their GrandFather and Great GrandFather's name; Uncles, and Great Uncles (Aunties too) and all sorts of relations died in those wars and people do (still) want to see their names inscribed; almost to pay homage to them for the sacrifice they made.
It has got to be the most wonderful thing to do, to honour our fallen in this way and the most appropriate location for it as well.
Vast numbers left from Dover to go to war and many returned through Dover; seeing those White Cliffs, such a welcome sight of Blighty, must surely be the right place ?
It is more than a little sad that some people have such a blind-side to most arguments. Our future is made from our past and we must look to the future, but remember back too.
Roger
I wonder if all the people who go to the War Memorial in Ypres not to tour the battlefeilds but just to see a name on a wall realise that they shouldn't be intrested in going and that the other thousands of people who are there with them shouldn't be intersted either .
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
Another "statistic" to consider is that two thirds of those rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk were landed at Dover. This included not only the BEF troops but many French troops as well. Most of those were railed down to Southampton and returned to France. For them the White Cliffs will hold many memories.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
Alex, could we have a little consistency on this, on another thread you are worrying about the pollution and strain to the local roads caused by "too many" visitors to the memorial and yet here you say nobody will visit. Which is it?
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Alexander doesn't do consistence
Same as the "everyone at Farthingloe would be heading out of town and doing nothing to benefit Dover", but then saying the cars will all be "driving down Folkestone Road running children over"
Been nice knowing you :)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
will english heritage be putting any money towards the memorial?
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
No - it is not on their land, Grand Shaft Barracks is owned by DDC (though there was talk a year or two back about KCC taking ownership)
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 764- Registered: 27 Jul 2012
- Posts: 82
"Have you forgotten yet?...For the world's events have rumbled on since those gagged days..."
From 'Aftermath', (Sassoon, 1920).
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
"Do you remember the rats; and the stench
Of corpses rotting in front of the front-line trench--
And dawn coming, dirty-white, and chill with a hopeless rain?
Do you ever stop and ask, 'Is it all going to happen again?'"
Aftermath
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/aftermath/
Aftermath:New grass growing after mowing or harvest.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
all very moving stuff, siegfried sassoon was a wonderful great war correspondent and poet but also invented shampoo.
not a lot of people know that.
