salientguide Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 Well known authors and guides, Tonie and Valmai Holte have initiated a discussion amongst members of the Guild of Battlefield Guides, about new information boards the CWGC has placed at some cemeteries. They feel strongly that the large lettered "Welcome to Etaples cemetery" for instance is inappropriate and strikes the wrong tone for what is a burial ground for so many of our brave men. I thought to widen the debate and see what pals thought. On the whole replies to the Guild have been supportative of T & V H's view. My personal view. I think the board looks interesting and can present relevant information in a good visual style. But I do agree I think the idea of Welcome as if to any public attraction is inappropriate. Better just "Etaples Military Cemetery" and perhaps a reminder to treat it as such. Much needed for instance at Tyne Cot where so many school parties seem to treat it like a WW1 theme park rather than a place of reverance. Pic of the board at Etaples I understand there are some others elsewhere, any pal seen them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientguide Posted 2 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 2 November , 2006 I have reduced the original picture to a thumb size as too large for original text. However here is the board in more detail for Pals information SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Wayman Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 First I've heard of this. My initial reaction is that it'd be fine if only they lost the 'Welcome to' suffix. Don't see anything wrong with informing the general public about something of which they might know little or nothing. Very nearly a very good idea! Regards Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientguide Posted 2 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 2 November , 2006 Ken, as above I think I,d tend to agree with you. SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 If its a way to make people remember then thats the point I feel and the word welcome is not really an issue On holiday in Poland this year we went to Auschwitz. Considering how many people died there it had the feel of a museum and I wasnt as moved by the place as I was when I went to Belsen when I was a teenager. There is even a restuarant at Auschwitz - that I feel is inappropriate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyem1 Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 Salientguide, I agree, get rid of the "WELCOME" I have been to Etaples. Tonie and valmai live in my part of the woods and I will email them in the morning. gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Maier Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 Welcome means one whose coming is pleasing or desirable. The sign is saying that the CWGC is glad you have come; that it wants you to remember and visit. That's all. It does not imply that the cemetery is an entertainment. Read the sub-heading. "A place of rest and remembrance." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBI Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 Get Shot of the Word Welcome,it makes the Cemetery sound like a Theme Park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan_J Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 There was an 'information board' at Cabaret Rouge Cemetery when I was there last year. I can't remember whether it had the word Welcome or not; I do recall that there were French and English versions, and I seem to remember that there was also a braille section. There was something about the CWGC trialling this, and asking for feedback. They had something about this on their website a while back, although I think it's gone now. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Clay Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 The board illustrated strikes me as welcoming, informative and tasteful. It doesn't suggest entertainment or theme park, but does say 'your presence is welcome in this "place of rest and remembrance"'. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 I agree with Jim.....I can't see how "Welcome" can be seen as offensive, its just being polite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 Nothing wrong with it but they do look a bit rough if not cleaned often. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc2 Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 I see nothing wrong with it. Basically, it is telling visitors that their prescence is desirable and in fact "welcome". Nothing theme-parky about it. Simple politeness-- when someone comes to visit your house or your church, don't you go out of your way to tell them "welcome" and to try to make them feel that way? In fact, I see lots of welcome signs on churches all over Europe-- certainly doesn't detract from the solemnity or meaningfullness of a visit. Doc2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salientguide Posted 3 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 3 November , 2006 Can someone tell me why it is inappropriate. At a funeral it is etiquette for the bereaved to say "thank you for coming". I dont see the difference. Ah Jonathan but would you stand at the start of a funeral and greet attenders with a ringing "Welcome"?? How about that on the sign "Etaples cemetery...thank you for visiting or Thank you for visiting Etaples cemetery? For those that feel uncomfortable it seems to be this word " welcome!"and its connotations that seems out of order. Another thought do we need a proliferation of information boards, interpretive boards interpretive centres as seem to be springing up is this not part of the history of these places being taken over by a burgeoning heritage industry with their own vested interests? Further thoughts?? SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBI Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 Nothing wrong with it but they do look a bit rough if not cleaned often. Mick The French Ossuary at Kemmelberg has an Information Panel that does need a Good Clean up.It is a very informative Panel full of Information and Photos regarding the History of Kemmel in the Great War,but does NOT contain the word Welcome.Secondly why Etaples Cemetery ?..will all other CWWGC Cemeterys have this Greeting put up outside them ?,or is it just because Etaples is on the "Tourist " Route ?.I dont have a problem with the Information Panel,but the Word Welcome makes me feel uncomfortable.Surely it could be a bit more tastefully worded.Do the German Cemeterys have anything Similar ?............yet..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mruk Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 Distasteful and inappropriate. If you want a welcome and advice, got to tourist information in a nearby town or city. Cemeteries are a place of reflection and contemplation, and should remain as such. Regards, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bennett Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 As forum members, perhaps our sentiments are more focussed on the reason why so many are buried, not just here but all over the world. If I thought that the word "welcome" might invite more people, especially the young to visit the war cemeteries and realise the supreme sacrifice made, then it is a small price to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 Welcome means one whose coming is pleasing or desirable. The sign is saying that the CWGC is glad you have come; that it wants you to remember and visit. That's all. It does not imply that the cemetery is an entertainment. Read the sub-heading. "A place of rest and remembrance." Clive I think your spot on. I am not sure I personally would have chosen the word "welcome" but I understand it is intended as a "thank you for coming" and it doesnt offend me in the slightest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBI Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 The Cemetery at Etaples has been in existence for many Years,why now put up welcome Sign ?,people must surely know that They are and have been always more than welcome at anytime to visit.Deviating Slightly Etaples Cemetery has beeb the Scene of Acts of Wanton Vandalism in the Past..How long before the Information Panel gets some unwelcome Attention ?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike10764 Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 I think welcome is a perfectly fine way of heading the board. I really can't see the problem. It is now a place we should want people to visit and learn from and maybe feel part of...... On information boards, I also think anything which helps spread an understanding cannot be bad, Not everyone is fully clued up on the events surrounding the history of say a cemetery, or a battlefield. That should not exclude them from visiting, from small snippets a desire to learn more may grow, and that can't be all that bad. Like it or not to many the Heritage Industry is History, and we'll never get them to "find out different" for themselves by doing away with what information is provided on such boards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyspiller Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 Pals To add my thoughts, I always feel very welcome @ Tyne Cot, go and see my g-uncle BERT and have a chat with some of his mates. When my father died two years, I welcomed everybody to his funeral, thanked them for coming, this was a celebration of life, not a university debate about Bomber Harris (who Dad Eulogised), or the Earl of Haigh. I was genuinly happy to see some people that had travelled 100's of miles to pay their respects, why should cemeteries be any different? Rgds Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyndon Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 I personally find the word "Welcome" totally inappropriate. Apart from that, I think the boards are an excellent idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 I would draw the line at a notice on the back of it saying 'Thank you for your visit, missing you already' I think the one at Cabaret Rouge invited comments on the format etc. So must have had good feedback if they are appearing elsewhere. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 Cemeteries are a place of reflection and contemplation, and should remain as such. Just like my parish church and graveyard. Which has a big "Welcome to St Mary's" outside it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mruk Posted 3 November , 2006 Share Posted 3 November , 2006 Most places of worship have, John, and there's usually a beaming clergyman waiting to meet and greet you. It doesn't mean to say it's any less of a gimmick, and while the battlefield cemeteries should be open for all, they are a reminder of the harsh realities, not some novelty funstop on a whistle-stop tour. Regards, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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