Watton Memorial Vandalised

Went to Duxford in July and alot of school parties visiting fairly well behaved. I only wish that my teachers had organised trips like this then ,but in the sixties there were not that many museums. The youngsters are spoilt for choice these days and still abuse the system. Is it a case of overload or is World War 2 air war being taught properly in schools ?? Hardly anybody knows or cares what day Battle of Britain day is in this country, which is shameful as this country depended on those Battle of Britain (mainly)NCO pilots.

vandalism

Vandalism is just that….mindless, pointless. I was railing about this to my wife only yesterday. Near where I live on Portland is a sculpture park where artists of all abilities have tried their hand at carving Portland stone, the initiative has been going for ten years or more. One of the most successful is a guy who carves animal heads, the heads are “emerging” from huge, rough blocks of stone – there’s an elephant, a bear, a dinosaur (don’t think I can spell pterodactyl!) and a bison. The latter has a fine pair of horns which the sculptor has carved separately, polished then cemented in position. It’s been there a couple of years, but now? – the tip of one horn has been broken off! WHY, you have to ask yourself…what has it achieved apart from desecration? Sadly, in my opinion, no amount of education or any other “treatment” is going to alter the minds of people who get their kicks by spoiling the work of, or enjoyment of others.
Max

I spoke to the education organiser at Newark Air Museum today about the National Curriculum and the associated topics. They emailed me a set of search strings that had been used to find education resources from the museum website this time last year; I think that it makes interesting reading.

“education + evacuation world war 2 key stage 1

remembrance day work sheets

WW2 + educational + museums

Learn with museums

World War 2 educational visits in Nottinghamshire

Educational + visits + World + War + 2

World War2 activities for children”

Perhaps its other factors that need to be considered rather than the education aspect.

Its likely that they didn’t read the inscription on the memorial, but simply painted their name.

I don’t think it should be taken as a message about war veterans, or a disregard for their sacrifice.

Vandalism is not political, its vandalism!

Max.

Very interesting. So if, broadly speaking, this is done on a Nationwide basis, what then causes the people who have had a grounding in our recent history instilled in them to go out and vandalise Memorials such as the one in Watton or the one that was recently attacked in Wolverhampton? Where does it all break down?

Regards,

kev35

I write as an experienced primary school teacher. The history curriculum for primary age children includes one unit called “Britain since 1930”. I’ve taught the unit for many years and without exception my pupils are fascinated and often overawed about the fairly recent past, which of course includes WWII.

I cover the Depression, the build up to war in Germany, the plight and increasing targetting of the Jews, the outbreak of the war and major features in it including the bombing campaign, the “Home Front” and evacuees, etc etc.

It is such a popular topic, amongst both boys (the fighting, bombing etc) and girls (being a “mum” evacuee etc) that I link many other areas of the curriculum to it. Most children still have living relatives who can recall some aspect of those turbulent times, so it becomes personal and “alive”. The topic, by the way, lasts 15 weeks, and is followed by the Tudors (another fascinating time!)

So chaps, it’s not true to say that children are not taught about the past and have no respect for those who worked and died for our freedom today; they certainly are in Year 5 in St Augustines Catholic Primary School in Weymouth!
regards
Max

The prats who do this sort of thing obviously have not thought about the fact that they only have the freedom to behave in that way because of the sacrifices of those the memorial commemorates and countlless thousands of others like them. Unfortunately trying to explain that would be a waste of breath, they obviously consider it to be their God given right to behave like morons.

The point is Mike I don’t think anyone has made them aware of the debt that is owed. Not in a way that would give them pause to think about it. Yes there is undoubtedly some good work done with Schools by Musea, but how is it followed up in school? To gain any understanding of World War Two and its impact, both at that time and the impact it has now takes more than a couple of lessons and a half hearted hour’s directed study. I don’t think it would be a waste of breath if it could be done in the right way. Question is, how should it be done? And perhaps more importantly is there time before those who can
tell it like it was no longer have the opportunity?

Regards,

kev35

And if it wasn’t for all the brave souls that paid the supreme sacrifice for their freedom that they enjoy today,they wouldn’t have any god given rights!

The prats who do this sort of thing obviously have not thought about the fact that they only have the freedom to behave in that way because of the sacrifices of those the memorial commemorates and countlless thousands of others like them. Unfortunately trying to explain that would be a waste of breath, they obviously consider it to be their God given right to behave like morons.

There is a lot being done by many UK museums to engage with school children, a few details here about what Newark are doing http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/education.htm

Plus a more detailed national initiative they have participated in [you will need to follow the view local heroes link] http://www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk/museums/newark_air_museum/teaching_packages/index.html

Far be it from me to ever be a liberal, and I make a point of being largely unreconstructed and out of step with the modern World but I largely agree with Kev here.

I recently made a return visit to The Great War battlefields of The Somme and was amazed, moved and impressed by the number of school parties that had/or were visiting the area. Many a wreath had been laid too, usually at the site of a loss of someone relevant to the school or area where the school is situated.
I’ve also had to visit a number of local schools for work recently and have been impressed by the displays of work that some of them have on display. At not a particularly well renowned school in Luton, the pupils have a display about a trip they made to Ypres and I was deeply moved while reading it.

I also see a number of very competent young folk coming through at Old Warden too.
So, our ‘youf’ ain’t all bad.

OK, so these idiots perhaps need a lesson–who knows, in twenty years they might be on a forum like this as pillars of respectability. I’m certainly not proud of some of the things I did as a youngster. Perhaps though, you’ve all lead blameless lives–lucky b*sta*rds that you must be.

Andy.
PS Two things, why don’t you volunteer to go and clean it. That way right triumphs over the other, and second, I’ve spent a bit of my weekend watching team GB winning a bit in China–again they ain’t geriatrics, are they?

Mondariz.

Where was that photograph taken? Have you any idea?

Regards,

kev35

German Reichstag building 1945.

Oh dear. Another really helpful, considered and mature response.

In jest i hope?

I certainly would have done, unfortunately for me, and through no fault of my own, back in 1985 I failed the R.A.F medical.

Oh dear. Another really helpful, considered and mature response.

“Bring back National Service.
No Iam not some ‘ old boy ‘. Iam 39 and wish I’d had the chance to do it.”

But you did. You could have joined any branch of the Armed Forces of your own volition and enjoyed the experience for more than two years.

Mondariz.

Where was that photograph taken? Have you any idea?

Regards,

kev35

I think i have the answer, get some of these bloody human rights do-gooders to go and clean the sick mess up. Then let them tell us that the person responsible, “Did’nt mean to do it”.
Especially if the do-gooder was a relation of someone, who’s name appeared on the memorial.
Why should the benches be removed just because some sick, lame brain, decides that they have the right to deface the memorial. Surely that would be in some respect letting them win.

Bring back National Service.
No Iam not some ‘ old boy ‘. Iam 39 and wish I’d had the chance to do it.

Glad to hear it 😀

In that case, no hard feelings 🙂

Whoosh. Only a bit of hyperbolism there, I’m not evil.

I find it incredible that with the theme of this thread, you would choose to label me as ‘tasteless’

I didn’t mean to call you tasteless, or evil, I just find the idea of controlled breeding quite disturbing, even as a joke.

It was not intended as a personal assault, even if I quoted your post. In forum postings, its often hard to differ between the posted idea and the “poster”.

I objected to the idea, not you 😉

Thats exactly the kind of ideas, those remembered at Watton were fighting.

Not defending the despicable act, just found the marked passage tasteless.

Whoosh. Only a bit of hyperbolism there, I’m not evil.

I find it incredible that with the theme of this thread, you would choose to label me as ‘tasteless’

We live in an increasingly feral country with feral children, being raised by feral parents.

The police lack the time and manpower to tackle issues like this, and even if they did, what what a court do?

Make them clear it up, no, course not, that would infringe their human rights naturally and bless ’em, their right to destroy is what is paramount.

What we need, is a human rights charter, page one, line one, needs to state that if you want to take its protection, then you must first honour everybodies rights, not just your own. Had the teenage party from hell last week-end next door. Cars on drive, fence driven over, bottles thrown at my house, abused yelled out of the loft windows and pushed by a half cut lout with four friends he had as back up. Police didn’t come when called, I sat up all night until they were done in case anything was hurled at my house. But as one of them said, “its our right to have a good time and you can’t stop me”.

I think when Peter left, as he said at the age of 5, his family should have turned out the lights and switched us off. To be fair the parents have been great since they came back, then the mother says they have had issues with the brat since she was 13 with booze. Dumb move leaving her alone then love…..

Rant over, I’m going to play with my ‘planes.