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In memoriam 2014

 
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 8:47 pm    Post subject: In memoriam 2014 Reply with quote

Below is an extract of a press release about the In Memoriam 2014 project. Only thing I have omitted is the contact details. I will let it speak for itself and put some of my own comments as a reply...............

A project has been launched to combat the theft of metal elements from war memorials and to support their preservation to ensure that the names of those who died are remembered by future generations.

War Memorials Trust and the SmartWater Foundation are asking war memorial custodians to register for the In Memoriam 2014 project which is also making SmartWater’s state of the art crime prevention liquid available free of charge to mark all war memorials in the UK.

SmartWater is a forensic solution which contains a unique chemical code and is only visible under ultraviolet (UV) light. Once applied to a war memorial the liquid is virtually impossible to remove and can withstand burning or melting making it harder for criminals to dispose of stolen war memorials.

Police forces across the UK are actively searching for traces of SmartWater as a means of positively identifying stolen property and linking criminals back to specific crime scenes. More and more scrap metal dealers are also checking for traces of SmartWater and refusing to handle any items marked with the liquid.

Sir Keith Povey, SmartWater Foundation Chairman, stated "As the centenary of World War I approaches, In Memoriam 2014 encourages communities to reconnect with their local war memorials and remember the sacrifice that so many people made for their country. It is an exciting prospect for the SmartWater Foundation to be a partner with the War Memorials Trust in this project. The Foundation’s main role will be to offer greater protection for war memorials in the United Kingdom by offering SmartWater which is a proven crime deterrent, free of charge. I hope that people embrace what this project offers and take an interest in locating and preserving these symbols of our commemoration."

Meg Hillier MP Hackney South and Shoreditch and War Memorials Trust Trustee said "This project is an opportunity to protect war memorials in communities across the UK. War Memorials Trust seeks to both protect and conserve this unique part of our national heritage and so I am delighted to be supporting this project. I encourage people to take an active interest in the project and ensure the custodians of your local war memorials are taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity to protect your local war memorial free of charge."


Notes to editors

1. War Memorials Trust is an independent registered charity. Established in 1997 due to concerns about neglect and vandalism, it works to protect and conserve war memorials. It provides advice, information and administers grants schemes that assist the repair and conservation of war memorials across the UK. As a charity the Trust relies on voluntary contributions to undertake its work. Supporters include annual and life members, donors, charitable trusts and corporate contributors. Further details of the Trust can be found at www.warmemorials.org.

2. The SmartWater Foundation, the charitable arm of SmartWater Technology Ltd, are providing the resources for the In Memoriam 2014 project and for SmartWater liquid to be offered free of charge to war memorial custodians. SmartWater Technology Ltd is a commercial company which provides crime reduction strategies. The company works closely with the police and other crime reduction agencies. Their clients include British Airways, Comet, Group 4 Securicor, HSBC, National Grid, Network Rail, Royal Mail and Thames Water. Further details about SmartWater Technology Ltd can be found at www.smartwater.com.

3. SmartWater is a forensic solution which contains a unique chemical code and is only visible under ultraviolet (UV) light. Once applied to a war memorial the liquid is virtually impossible to remove and can withstand burning or melting making it harder for criminals to dispose of stolen war memorials. Police forces across the UK are actively searching for traces of SmartWater as a means of positively identifying stolen property and linking criminals back to specific crime scenes. More and more scrap metal dealers are also checking for traces of SmartWater and refusing to handle any items marked with the liquid. Further information about SmartWater liquid can be found at www.smartwater.com.

4. In Memoriam 2014 is a joint project between War Memorials Trust and the SmartWater Foundation. Further information about the project can be found at www.inmemoriam2014.org.

5. War Memorials Trust has approximately 150 Regional Volunteers, members of the charity who act as local contacts. They raise awareness of the charity and also alert the charity to local war memorial issues.

6. War Memorials Trust provides grants that can assist repair and conservation of war memorials. Contact the Conservation Team to discuss eligibility on 020 7233 7356 / 0300 123 0764 or conservation@warmemorials.org or download an ‘Expression of interest form’ from www.warmemorials.org/grants/.

7. War Memorials Trust provides a free advisory service to anyone with a war memorial enquiry. Specialist Conservation Officers are available on 020 7233 7356 / 0300 123 0764 or conservation@warmemorials.org.

8. Details of grants made can be viewed on the Trust’s Grants Showcase www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/. You can search by area, scheme, value and type of work.

9. Photographs and images of war memorials, and grant cases, may be available from the Trust. If images are on the Showcase www.warmemorials.org/search-grants/ then we should be able to provide digital versions. However, we are not a photo library and, whilst endeavouring to provide images, cannot guarantee to be able to provide them as many of the images sent to the Trust are not accompanied by a copyright licence.

10. War Memorials Trust has had a membership since around 2,200. Annual members pay £20 per annum with lifetime members contributing £100. Joint memberships are available and the charity has a gift membership scheme for those who would like to give the gift of membership to a family member or friend.
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A major press release has gone out nationally (UK national that is) and Regional Volunteers for the War Memorial Trust have sent out a release to their local papers (I have sent to all in Dumfries and Galloway).

If you are not sure how effective this will be, just think back 20 or so years to how many payroll and security van heists there were. Then they introduced that thing that dies all the banknotes red. Now there are hardly any such heists which must, at least in part, be due to the red stuff. I think this is the modern equivalent, not catching the guys, just acting as a deterrant so that anyone handling the stolen metal, even after melting down, knows there is a risk of being caught.

This could be applied to metal railings and gates just as well as to bronze and brass statues and name plaques.

If anyone wants to make sure that the press release gets to local papers in their area, if you know your WMT Regional Volunteer - contact them (I think I am the only one who posts here). If you don't know them (or don't know if there is one, send me a pm and I will see what I can find out.

I know that generally we are all concerned about loss and damage to war memorials, I think this might just be the chance to do something about it, and in any case, any publicity about war memorials will increase public awareness and that has to be good.

\Paul
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 9:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I received an email from Alex Fergusson MSP the other day and the text may be of wider interest than the In Memoriam 2014 project.

"I am grateful to you for sending me your letter on the subject of the use of Smart Water to protect our war memorials against vandalism and drawing my attention to the In Memoriam 2014 project. I am particularly interested in the project as I have recently been elected as the Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Veterans affairs in the Scottish Parliament, and I will certainly draw this project to the attention of that group. "

He also kindly sent me details of a motion he has lodged in the Scottish Parliament.

"Date of Lodging: 11 November 2011
Short Title: Protection of War Memorials against Metal Theft
S4M-01316 Alex Fergusson () (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): That the Parliament notes with sadness reports of an increase in the number of metal thefts from war memorials; further notes the work of the In Memoriam 2014 project, a partnership between the War Memorials Trust and the SmartWater Foundation, which will offer SmartWater crime prevention liquid to all war memorial custodians free of charge in order to deter thieves from targeting the memorials; understands that, when investigating or handling possible stolen property, police forces and scrap metal merchants are increasingly checking for traces of SmartWater; recommends that all war memorial custodians take up what it considers to be this generous offer, and views the initiative as a highly effective means of ensuring that Scotland's war memorials continue to be preserved and respected in a manner befitting those whose names are engraved on them."

Do we think that he and the cross party group on veterans affairs are people that we should keep informed of things from time to time? Not being a political animal mysel, I particularly like the 'cross-party' bit.

\Paul
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Adam Brown
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Paul

I came across the Motion last night. I noted quite a few MSPs backed it on the day and in the days after it. You can see all that on the Scottish Parliament's website. It may well be taking a note of them to see where they represent and they may be useful contacts if there are any issues with local war memorials.

Adam
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Adam Brown
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 11:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9000253/David-Cameron-interview-those-who-work-hard-will-be-rewarded.html

David Cameron on .. war memorials

The Prime Minister backs The Sunday Telegraph’s campaign to protect Britain’s war memorials, especially with the 100th anniversary, in 2014, of the start of the First World War so close.

He calls on the police to be “really focused” on those who damage and desecrate war memorials, including metal thieves who strip plaques.

“Just as the courts felt free to reflect public anger at the time of the [August] riots, they should feel free to reflect public anger about war memorials being in any way desecrated.”

Local cadet forces, the Prime Minister says, are already being asked to register all the memorials in their area and to spray them with SmartWater, a special liquid that can be seen under ultra violet light and which is used to “mark” individual property so that the police can trace the owners.

Mr Cameron also sent a clear message to the independent Heritage Lottery Fund. The fund has agreed to look at how war memorial projects are funded and has announced that more money will be made available, but has not yet set a specific figure.

“If I can put it like this, I can’t think of a better use for that money, and I hope they’ll consider what you’re saying.”
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 3:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great item, these views can only help the preservation (and recording?) of the memorials.

\Paul
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Adam Brown
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 5:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lets hope the focus war memorials are getting nationally at the moment continues. Good to see the PM making a statement about it.

Adam
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Keptie



Joined: 24 Feb 2009
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 5:11 pm    Post subject: metal thieves Reply with quote

I see that one of the very new MSPs in the Scottish Parliament , Graeme Dey MSP for South Angus has signed that motion put forward by Mr Fergusson MSP ( nephew of ex BW: Brigadier Bernard Fergusson )

pat w anderson
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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Local Cadet Forces, I assume if they register interest, to mark relevant memorials with Smartwater is a fine initiative.
But 'registering all memorials in their area' would be covering ground already started some time ago.
I also read recently on the UKNIWM site that they are fully covered by local volunteers. Don't know who they are or where their efforts are at present concentrated but I thought they would have appeared on the project at some point due to similar interest.
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spoons



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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dhubthaigh wrote:
Local Cadet Forces, I assume if they register interest, to mark relevant memorials with Smartwater is a fine initiative.
But 'registering all memorials in their area' would be covering ground already started some time ago.
I also read recently on the UKNIWM site that they are fully covered by local volunteers. Don't know who they are or where their efforts are at present concentrated but I thought they would have appeared on the project at some point due to similar interest.

UKNIWM Volunteers are not very active in this area, even some of the major civic memorials are not listed but I am doing my best.
Only the custodians of the memorials can register and apply for the smartwater so the cadets can only be doing this under the council's control - presumably as a compromise so the council don't have to fund the labout. Should be good for the cadets' background training as well.

\Paul
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