SWARM anniversay update and thank you!
Oct 14, 2011 18:28:33 GMT
Post by Spitfire on Oct 14, 2011 18:28:33 GMT
When SWARM started about 12 months ago these were our aims:
* To photograph, index, produce a database and research all named individuals on war memorials, rolls of honour and similar pieces relating to Remembrance throughout the ever changing, ever expanding City of Salford - from the heart of Salford to the further outlying towns such as Little Hulton and Boothstown.
* To locate the whereabouts/establish what happened to lost/missing memorials
* To preserve and protect memorials in danger of demolition so that they can be appreciated by future generations. These historical memorials form a significant part of our history and hertiage and the individuals named on them deserve to be remembered with honour.
* To assist in the restoration and repair of memorials where necessary
* To ensure that memorials are proudly displayed in places which are easy for the public to access
* We would like Salford to be the first council in the country to write a clause in their constitution to protect all memorials. If developers wish to buy certain buildings, graveyards etc. they will need to arrange for the safe removal and restoration of any memorial within the lands boundaries.We hope that the council, the church authorities and developers will be willing to work with us to ensure that these memorials are treated with the utmost respect and care which they deserve.
* To produce a book of remembrance to go with as many memorials as possible
* To produce an education pack which can be used within the school curriculum
* To bring about a change in the law nationally so that all memorials are protected
It is now just a little over one year since I met Garry and Debbie and through mutual interest in the memorials, mutual outrage at the discovery of a memorial ending up on a tip and through my sheer desperation to find the elusive Whit Lane memorial SWARM was born. About a month after the launch, one big asset to the project was Jim agreeing to come on board. So there we were the four of us with nothing except a passion and a belief that although it was a monumental task we could achieve something worthwhile.
So how are we doing and what have we achieved so far? Well the above document entitled "The aims of SWARM" was drawn up at the very start of it all when SWARM was just a dream that at times seemed like an impossible task BUT we have made progress.
The database is up and running, we currently have around 8500 names on it.
We have researched 120 memorials and photographed many more.
The forums are actively used by people who pop on occasionally and also by regulars.
The website is up and running and we are currently in the process of upgrading it.
We assisted in the preservation of the Salford Central Mission Memorial and we produced a book of Remembrance for the SCM memorial.
We have assisted with many enquiries from individuals both here in the UK and worldwide, some with very little information on an ancestor and others looking for more in-depth information.
We have some superb contributors to the project research (it would be impossible to name them all so I sincerely apologise) Thanks go to Mack, Pete Thomas, Neil Drum, B A Lightfoot, Tony Rodaway, Steve & Wendy and those who wish for personal reasons to remain anonymous.
We have forged good links with the council, the museums, the archives/libraries, Urban Vision, the Church authorities, the media (notably Stephen Kingston at Salford Star, Tony Flynn at SalfordOnline, MEN, Salford Advertiser and Ian Rothwell at Salford City Radio) Jo Macklin and team for working with us on her film for BBC TV and Libby Willis for BBC radio Manchester.
We have forged strong links with other local groups and likeminded groups further afield, regimental associations and we enjoy mutual support from projects such as the Billy Unsworth Project and The Liverpool Pals Memorial Fund.
We have some fantastic supporters who have attended our open day and people who offer support via Facebook.
All in all I think we have done rather well considering we all do this as a part time hobby and we have no funding except our own pockets but then I suppose I’m biased.
We always need people to contribute and help with photography, research and support so if you have any spare time at all and if any of this has captured your heart or imagination in any way please let us know!
The one thing we always need to keep ourselves focused on is WHY we are doing it…let’s hope that the next 12 months are as productive and successful. Many thanks to you all
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
* To photograph, index, produce a database and research all named individuals on war memorials, rolls of honour and similar pieces relating to Remembrance throughout the ever changing, ever expanding City of Salford - from the heart of Salford to the further outlying towns such as Little Hulton and Boothstown.
* To locate the whereabouts/establish what happened to lost/missing memorials
* To preserve and protect memorials in danger of demolition so that they can be appreciated by future generations. These historical memorials form a significant part of our history and hertiage and the individuals named on them deserve to be remembered with honour.
* To assist in the restoration and repair of memorials where necessary
* To ensure that memorials are proudly displayed in places which are easy for the public to access
* We would like Salford to be the first council in the country to write a clause in their constitution to protect all memorials. If developers wish to buy certain buildings, graveyards etc. they will need to arrange for the safe removal and restoration of any memorial within the lands boundaries.We hope that the council, the church authorities and developers will be willing to work with us to ensure that these memorials are treated with the utmost respect and care which they deserve.
* To produce a book of remembrance to go with as many memorials as possible
* To produce an education pack which can be used within the school curriculum
* To bring about a change in the law nationally so that all memorials are protected
It is now just a little over one year since I met Garry and Debbie and through mutual interest in the memorials, mutual outrage at the discovery of a memorial ending up on a tip and through my sheer desperation to find the elusive Whit Lane memorial SWARM was born. About a month after the launch, one big asset to the project was Jim agreeing to come on board. So there we were the four of us with nothing except a passion and a belief that although it was a monumental task we could achieve something worthwhile.
So how are we doing and what have we achieved so far? Well the above document entitled "The aims of SWARM" was drawn up at the very start of it all when SWARM was just a dream that at times seemed like an impossible task BUT we have made progress.
The database is up and running, we currently have around 8500 names on it.
We have researched 120 memorials and photographed many more.
The forums are actively used by people who pop on occasionally and also by regulars.
The website is up and running and we are currently in the process of upgrading it.
We assisted in the preservation of the Salford Central Mission Memorial and we produced a book of Remembrance for the SCM memorial.
We have assisted with many enquiries from individuals both here in the UK and worldwide, some with very little information on an ancestor and others looking for more in-depth information.
We have some superb contributors to the project research (it would be impossible to name them all so I sincerely apologise) Thanks go to Mack, Pete Thomas, Neil Drum, B A Lightfoot, Tony Rodaway, Steve & Wendy and those who wish for personal reasons to remain anonymous.
We have forged good links with the council, the museums, the archives/libraries, Urban Vision, the Church authorities, the media (notably Stephen Kingston at Salford Star, Tony Flynn at SalfordOnline, MEN, Salford Advertiser and Ian Rothwell at Salford City Radio) Jo Macklin and team for working with us on her film for BBC TV and Libby Willis for BBC radio Manchester.
We have forged strong links with other local groups and likeminded groups further afield, regimental associations and we enjoy mutual support from projects such as the Billy Unsworth Project and The Liverpool Pals Memorial Fund.
We have some fantastic supporters who have attended our open day and people who offer support via Facebook.
All in all I think we have done rather well considering we all do this as a part time hobby and we have no funding except our own pockets but then I suppose I’m biased.
We always need people to contribute and help with photography, research and support so if you have any spare time at all and if any of this has captured your heart or imagination in any way please let us know!
The one thing we always need to keep ourselves focused on is WHY we are doing it…let’s hope that the next 12 months are as productive and successful. Many thanks to you all
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.