Guest 1338- Registered: 9 Sep 2014
- Posts: 79
I've just returned from a tour to Scotland & I've noticed that wreaths laid on the local Memorials are still there having been laid on Rememberence Sunday last November. I spoke to one local in Strathpeffer & was told their wreaths stay from one year to the next & are added to on other occasions. I stayed overnight in Blackpool & strolled alone the prom to their Memorial & yes Novembers wreaths are still there. My question is why after only a few weeks are ours at the Dover Memorial removed & thrown away ? I would appreciate an honest answer.
Guest 1735- Registered: 26 Apr 2016
- Posts: 90
In my Grandparents village outside Calais ,their memorial have all the flags flying & wreaths all year round ,they find it so upsetting that when they come to Dover theres no flags or wreaths or flowers .Last year i sent them the Dover Express where a Cllr thought the Union Jack would spoil her view they were outraged as if an official had said that in the village they would have been hounded out ,such a shame these days we get overbearing arrogant officials who work for themselves
Guest 1338- Registered: 9 Sep 2014
- Posts: 79
Exactly Suzie Sue, a tiny little village in Scotland named Golspie flies the union flag the whole year round & their wreaths are also there for the whole year only being replaced on Rememberance Sunday the following year. Does DTC not realise how people feel seeing their wreaths stuffed in a black sack & thrown away. It's disgraceful.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I believe the recently formed White Cliffs branch of the Royal British Legion liaise with the town council on ceremonial issues so might be best to contact them for their view.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
We spend a lot of time in Golspie and have just got back and off again there soon and know where you are talking about and you are right it looks very nice all year round and you will see the public out there each morning keeping it that way.We stay at the Invicta house B&B AT 10 Ferry Road Golspie which is just in the road where you are talking about.
Guest 1338- Registered: 9 Sep 2014
- Posts: 79
Thankyou Vic Matcham, everywhere in Scotland seems to be the same Strathpeffer,s memorial is also well cared for & others that I've seen are the same, so why not here ?
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Personally our Dover War Memorial and gardens are well kept.I always think the wreaths on River memorial are kept in place too long.The memorial with the names inscribed are the true memorial.You would not keep wreaths on a grave.They are removed when they get shabby. The poppy wreaths unless fixed can blow away .When I placed wreaths I sometimes had them wayed down so they did not move.
the wreaths are not left at the Band stand on Walmer Green.
Let us not get over emotive.It is in your heart you remember.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I notice that it is the people of Golspie that keep their memorial nice, something seen often in villages as the community spirit is usually stronger than in towns.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I counted up in my four years as Chairman I placed 44 wreaths .Its the act of Remberance that is important.Can anyone tell me if the ones in London are left in place for months ?
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I counted up in my four years as Chairman I placed 44 wreaths .Its the act of Remberance that is important.Can anyone tell me if the ones in London are left in place for months ?
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,259
Those at the Cenotaph are removed after 2 weeks and as you say Sue the memorial is the permanent reminder the wreath is only designed as an addition to mark the day or occassion.
That said I do think Dovers war memorial is cleared too quickly after remembrance Day.
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Arte et Marte
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I agree and think the wreaths should be left for at least two weeks.I did note there are wreaths on the memorial today.
Guest 1735- Registered: 26 Apr 2016
- Posts: 90
I would presume the reason the London Cenotaph wreaths are removed is because its in the middle of a busy road ,,No doubt someone will correct me
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
Surely the wreaths look tatty if left for to long.
Would the fresh wreaths be to remember those who lost their lives in the Battle of Jutland
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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 1338- Registered: 9 Sep 2014
- Posts: 79
I don't think the wreaths look tatty maybe a little faded but that isn't the point, the point is ours are removed far too soon & what's wrong with leaving them until the next Memorial Day ? I,m sure the people who lay them would want them left. One thing comes to mind - not everyone who was killed in the war is on the memorial - my family being one of them & I want my wreath to stay in memory of them. I,m annoyed by Sue Nichols remark of being over emotive.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
They put more names on the Dover Town Memorial so if you have a family member you would like to have put on it please write to the town council part of the memorial is put by for members of the public that died in Dover even if they did not have a roll in the wars. but were living in the town at the time .I think most of us have lost family members in both wars and they should be remember my own family have a war grave at the bay also their names are on the war memorial in the church and each year their names get read out .
Guest 1338- Registered: 9 Sep 2014
- Posts: 79
Thanks for the info Vic, I didn't know that civilians could be added to the memorial. Six members of my family were killed in Randolph rd leaving only my Dad & uncle. I don't think the powers that be would add six names would they ?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Post 16 is spot on as this issue is an old one on this forum. Usually for cost reasons the Town Council wait until a few names are put forward before contracting the work. Moving on I agree with the majority in that memorials should stand alone and not look tatty if wreaths move past their sell by date.
I rather like the seemingly hand woven poppies at the top of the Avenue of Remembrance in Folkestone and more recently the arch coupled with stone work that reminds us of the blokes that trod that route in the great war, some not returning others with life changing injuries.
Guest 1338- Registered: 9 Sep 2014
- Posts: 79
Wreaths are not 'tatty' they are laid in memory of a loved one & all the time that wreath is there the family feel that their loved one is remembered especially if their name isn't on the memorial. Folkestone are to be commended they've gone out of their way to remember the fallen not so Dover.
Guest 1224- Registered: 9 Mar 2014
- Posts: 100
Respect is about remembering and care should be made to keep everything looking cared for and the tribute kept like this and replaced when looking sad.
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