The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:31 am Post subject:

The RHF Museum in Glasgow holds several memorials from Glasgow which had no other home to go to so it's not as if the idea of a non-regimental memorial in a regimental museum is new.
I'm sure many of the Foresters were serving in the Black Watch when they died but aside from that it is a Perth memorial and should remain in Perth.

Given the involvement with the Black Watch Assoc. in Dundee over the state of the Mains memorial I'd hope that even if they couldn't offer the memorial a home at Balhousie they may be able to help with the search.

Thanks

Adam

spoons · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 7:39 am Post subject:

Thanks to all who replied about the Forresters memorial. I have mailed the WMT and asked for a copy of the photo of the memorial and the exact address. 'have we got a member?' was firmly tongue in cheek Very Happy

I only had a quick glimse of the photo, it seems to be made of wood with several wooden plaques set in and has a bit of depth to it, not just one board.

I have drawn the WMT attention to this thread and all the helpful suggestions - I think the job will be safe in their hands and I am sure they will ask if they think we can help.

\Paul

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject:

Just to clarify. Is there a good digi photo of the memorial or do we need one ? I was in hospital street this morning and located the bridal shop but it was shut.
Is this permanently closed or can I get access if necessary ?

cheers,
mark

john burnett · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 790 Location: Fife

Photo courtesy of Sue Payne, Perth Museum & Art Gallery, Perth & Kinross Council, Scotland.

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:42 am Post subject:

I don't know what it's like in other parts of the country but this cold snap has shown up that the City of Edinburgh Council have obviously decided to spend as little as possible on keeping roads and pavements gritted. They are also not emptying any rubbish bins that I can see. I am not starting a political discussion but it has occurred to me that if they are cutting corners like this then maintenance of memorials are probably way down their list of spending priorities.

In Edinburgh the council is in a very deep financial hole (and thanks to the trams it is not likely to get any better soon) so it may not be the same across the whole country but it may be worth keeping an eye on your local memorials to make sure the authorities aren't neglecting them.

Lots of other things such as healthcare and education should take priority in spending above monuments but you just have to see what happened at Mains when a council completely gives up maintenance. A memorial will become a target for vandalism and in the case of Mains the council was considering one option of giving up on it completely and replacing it with a small plaque nearby.

If any good can come out of the Mains affair it will hopefully be that no civic memorial should be allowed to fall into such a state again.

Regards

Adam

spoons · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

Do we know the current situation with the Forresters memorial?

\Paul

dhubthaigh

The building is now owned by the YMCA. They have apparently looked for new homes for the memorials without success (common theme I'm afraid). They have now vacated the premises to begin refurbishment work and I'm afraid time is no friend. I really don't want to go down the media route as the pastor allowed me access and I vowed not to do another 'one-man campaign'.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:31 pm Post subject:

Mark

Do you know who was contacted andf couldn't help? What about the Argyll's minister? That's a great memorial with his portrait, could the Aryglls in Stirling be asked for help?

The large stone memorial is a difficult one. What happend to the congeagtion of St Andrew's did they merge or did they just close?

Thanks

Adam

DelBoy · Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 3:00 am Post subject:

Surely the local museum could take it? Seems daft not to.

I stumbled across this piece from late 2008 regarding the Victory ground at Dowanhill church in Glasgow being under threat.

http://dowanhill.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/housing-bid-sparks-war-memorial-row-at-theatre.html

dalblair · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 564 Location: coupar angus

Have identified that memorials are still in situ and at risk.Have contacted the 4 city centre churches,who operate as a group,to seek a location-sympathetic response so far.Have also identified potential funding source.
Church now listed grade C but hopefully no problems!Will update with final solution when resolved.

Adam Brown · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:44 am Post subject:

Dalblair

That's great news. These are magnificent memorials and I'm glad to see there is a glimmer of hope for their survival.

Thanks

Adam

dalblair · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 564 Location: coupar angus

Memorial has been removed for safekeeping as wall became unstable.Shop owner has promised to give my contact details to current guardian.Hope to establish where it is and whether this is short term or long term solution where it can be seen as well as looked after.Here`s hoping!

dalblair · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 564 Location: coupar angus

Have made contact with rescuer.Memorial under cover in safekeeping-quite happy for long term public space solution to be found.Now working on the solution!

dalblair · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 564 Location: coupar angus

Provisional agreement that these memorials can be relocated to St Matthew`s Church.Now looking for funding via local Heritage trust and WMT,getting estimates,checking planning,listed building,church consent etc.
Looks like a long haul but worth it
Could Spoons advise me re WMT contact so i`m not going in blind?

spoons · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:01 pm Post subject: Forresters Memorial

Congrats on work done so far and good luck with relocation.

WMT contact details are at http://www.warmemorials.org/contact-us/. I have details for a couple of named individuals but I recommend the generic emails (or a phone call) as being likely to get a quicker response.

When I last spoke to a contact in the Forresters, they were interested in the memorial but could not offer it a home. However it might be worth seeing if they could make a contribution. I cannot lay my hands on contact details at the moment but I think that Mark has details.

Good luck

\Paul