First World War Centenary Open Space Meeting
15 November 2013 The Brighthelm Centre, Brighton
Contents
Page
Delegate list…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Context ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 7
Agenda………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
How Can“Vivamus We Honour the Jewish Soldiers? ……………………………………………………………………………… 11 How Canet Blind metus. Veterans” Be Involved ? ….……………………………………………………………………………… 12 Remembrance Services / Interfaith/ Inter Denomination Event …………………………………………………….. 13
My House My Street…………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… 14
Profiles of War or Shadows of Conflict…..……………………………………………………………………….……… 15
How can we get arts organisations to contribute to commemorative events? …………….………………… 16
Rotary Clubs & Friends Concert Parties…..……………………………………………………………………….……. 18
Heritage Bus…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……. 19 Role of Hospitals in WW1 (RSCH) B6H The Kitchener Hospital…………….…………………………………….…… 20
2
How can we raise awareness that WWI was not just a Eurocentric conflict but involved …………………… 21
over 30 nationalities How Do We - or Do We Not- Involve the City’s Youngest Resident (pre-school – infant school)? ….…….. 22 How Can We Facilitate Learning …..……………………………………………………………………….……………. 23
– formal – informal wider community
– focus on the Great War & impact on British Society ( families, social relationships, economic,
– religion, women’s roles, history)
How to Set the Science, Evolutionary, Psychological, Ethical to be Discussed & Debated ? …….………… 25
Commemorate the contribution of the India soldiers (1914-1918) & ……………………………….…………… 26
a wreath laying ceremony at the India Gate
Registration for the Ypres & the Menin Gate Memorial Visit, Belgium 8.8.14……………………………….…… 27
Brighton & Hove Black History Month Display……………………………….………………………………….……… 28
SuspendisseClosing elementumRemarks………………. rhoncus velit. …………………………….………………………………….…………………………… 29 Nulla turpis metus, faucibus nec, The Newsroomdignissim at, Reporterscursus in, tortor.……………………………….………………………………….………………………………. 31
Open Space Facilitators ……………….…………………………….………………………………….………………… 32
3 Delegate List
Rabbi Andreaz Reform Synagogue [email protected]
Davinder Dhillon Chattri Memorial Group [email protected]
Bert Williams B&H Black History [email protected] Georgia New Writing South [email protected]
Richard Robinson Brighton Science Festival [email protected]
Valery Bettts Brighton & Hove French Circle [email protected] Norman Jacobs Sounds of War [email protected] Brian Baker The Good Shepherd Church [email protected] Hannah Jarman Bandbazi [email protected] Robert Baker Blind Veterans [email protected] Averil Older B&H Heritage Commission [email protected] Amanda Scales B&H Heritage Commission [email protected] Alison Dollow Reform Synagogue [email protected] Nicholas Bett Reform Synagogue [email protected] Rhett Bartley Brighton Rotary Club [email protected] Alan Pocock Brighton Rotary Club [email protected] Pam Jarvis Sam Culture [email protected] Anna Barnes NHS [email protected]
Michael Olden Brighton Museum [email protected]
Kate Regester Brighton & Hove Libraries [email protected]
Harry Atkinson Brighton Little Theatre [email protected]
Continued/…
4 Andrew Manson-
Brailsford Church Services [email protected]
Nick Tyson Regency Town House [email protected]
Diane Coe BHCC [email protected]
Richard Tuset BHCC [email protected]
Belinda Cousins BHCC [email protected]
Pauline Freestone BHCC [email protected]
Lisa Finch Fabrica [email protected]
Branwen Lorigan BHCC [email protected]
Sam Warren BHCC [email protected]
Eva Kritharelli Pecha Kucha Night Brighton [email protected]
5 Introduction
The city council is working closely with a wide range of stakeholders and partners to develop a four year programme of events marking the Centenary of World War 1 (WW1). The programme aims to appropriately reflect local history and contemporaneous wartime experience in a respectful and appropriate way. The courage and sacrifice made by many local people will be reflected upon as will wider lessons learnt from personal testimony.
The authority is seeking to ensure that as many local groups as possible are provided the opportunity to be involved; both in the development of the programme and in subsequent commemorative events.
This report is based on findings from an event held to enable the Community and Voluntary sector, Faith groups and creative industries to come together to share plans and ideas; and shape the development of the centenary programme.
The event was run using an ‘Open Space’ process; allowing participants to check that emerging plans were appropriate, inclusive and allowed for the further development of ideas. To support this work, participants were asked to consider a key question: ‘How can we raise the profile of the city’s planned events for the WWI centenary anniversary, add value & identify the gaps by opening up the opportunity to other groups?’
The ideas and plans generated by the event will be taken to the cross sector WW1City Steering Group for consideration and sign off before being added to the city’s centenary programme.
6 Context
Introduction
2014 will mark 100 years since the A Brighton & Hove WW1 Steering Group start of the First World War. The and Planning Group, chaired by government is working alongside Richard Butcher Tuset, Head of Policy, partners, including the Heritage Performance & Communities, has been Lottery Fund, Commonwealth War convened in order to co-ordinate a Graves Commission and the programme of events across the city Imperial War Museum, on a series of for the period 2014 – 2108. national remembrance events, an Feedback from partners and extensive cultural programme and stakeholders to date has stressed the educational schemes. Culture need for a programme that is Secretary Maria Miller is chairing an respectful both in terms of profile and expert advisory panel to oversee content to the sacrifices made in the the 4-year programme, building a War, and link: commemoration fitting of this significant milestone in world history. • Directly to the story of the city and its residents during this time There is significant interest locally in • To the unique history in Brighton a Brighton & Hove programme. & Hove to strengthen our Interest has been raised by understanding of diversity and Members (as discussed at Full improve social cohesion in the Council), the Civil Military city Partnership Board, the local Armed • To the overall ‘lens’ of the Forces, the cultural sector, many commemoration being about Faith groups and the Community education and Voluntary sector.
7 The national theme of ‘reconciliation and • Freedom of the City March by preserving the memories of the war for Princess of Wales Royal Regiment future generations’ resonates with this and community activities on Armed message. Forces Day – 28th June 2014 • Drumhead and Interfaith Service There are already plans formulating in the commemorating the start of WW1 – City from Faith and Arts communities, Royal 4th August 2014 Pavilion & Museums, Universities and the Civil Military Partnership Board and We would like groups and organisations examples so far include: across the city to have an opportunity to participate in the four year programme • Collecting Memories Exhibition at Brighton Museum (European funding and would ask you to consider how your has been agreed) group or organisation would like to be included. • Performances by Brighton Little Theatre Further key dates to consider during the • Church of England -Range of four key period include: commemorative services • Planting fields of poppies in key • Armed Forces Day – 2014, 2015, areas of the city 2016, 2017, 2018 (usually the last • Concerts Saturday in June) • Telling the story of the hospital role in • The Battle of Boars Head, 30th June the city 2016 (a significant date for the people of Sussex) There are also significant plans already • The first day of the Battle of the drafted for some of the key events in 2014 Somme (1st July 2016) including: • Armistice Day (November 2018)
• Memorial Service on 70th anniversary of D Day - 6th June 2014 • Flag Raising (start of Armed Forces Week) – 23rd June 2014
8 How can we raise the profile of the city’s planned events for the WWI centenary anniversary, add value & identify the gaps by opening up the opportunity to other groups?
Agenda 1 Welcome by Richard Butcher Tuset, BHCC 2 Participation Event, Open Space led by Branwen Lorigan 3 Summary and close
9 Recommendations
10 Agenda Item: How Can We Honour the Jewish Soldiers ?
Convenor Name: RABBI ANDREA
Group Names: NICK BECK, ALISON DOLLOW, NORMAN JACOBS
4-5 August is ‘Tisha Be Av’ Saddest date of Jewish calendar Commemorate all the tragedies in Jewish history
Service begins in the evening Testimonies included in the service Descendants of soldiers taking part in the service to extinguish candles
Please give publicity
How/Action : Service at Reform Synagogue, Public and open
When ? August 4 evening
Who? Rabbi Andrea
11 Agenda Item: How Can Blind Veterans Be Involved?
Convenor Name: ROB BAKER
Group Names: NORMAN JACOBS, LISA FINCH, FATHER ANDREW
Discussion about proposed Music in our Time event next year which will include a memorial piece for Henry Allingham who was a WW1 blind veteran from Brighton. Discussion about Fabrica Gallery and possible collaboration – second sight workshops. Discussion with Father Andrew – offer of space at Church e.g. for dispay, keen to collaborate. Prior to meeting have been collaborating with Brighton Museum and Gallery on WW1 exhibition to take place next year.
Further discussion between us all needed, all very positive and interesting ideas.
How/Action : Phone/Email each other to discuss When ? Soon
Who? Rob Baker will be initial liaison point for Blind Veterans UK, but will bring in colleagues
12 Agenda Item: Remembrance Services / Interfaith/ Inter Denomination Event
Convenor Name: FATHER ANDREW
Group Names: BRIAN BAKER, BEV WILLIAMS
Services over the 4 year period – Religious building
Mayor to attend
Advertise appropriately
Celebration of Peace, Remembrance, Sacrifice
Faith get together
One at start service/end service
How/Action : Call on people/congregation to: Volunteer. Planning. Do. When ? ASAP. 4 years
Who? Father Andrew/Council
13 Agenda Item: Convenor Name: NICK TYSON Group Names: NICK TYSON, RICHARD TUSET My House My Street The webiste www.mhms.org.uk holds 105,000 digitised and indexed local street directory pages. The proposal is to encourage all local residents living in houses built before 1913 to explore who lived in their home between 1913 and 1919. Who was resident before the outbreak of war, during the years of conflict and who returned. Access to the website is free and a data entry page would be provided to allow residents to type the invo from the directory pages directly into a special WW1 database. Once the data was gathered, statistical analysis could reveal general population data and in selected cases, detailed stories about certain individuals. The project in selected cases, detailed stories about certain individuals. The project could use seed-corn funding from BHCC and could likely seek HLF funding. The system developed for the project could be used later to enable the gathering of data about local properties between 1787 and 1975.
Meet to see if there is interest in this proposal Identify BHCC funding available for the development of the concept Write a HLF application, and if successful run the project 2014-2018
When? ASAP with a start by 4 August 2014
Who? Nick Tyson
0797 409 6251
Regency Town House
13 Brunswick Square
Hove BN3 1EH
14 Agenda Item: Convenor Name: Nick Tyson, The Regency Townhouse Group Names: Nick Tyson Profiles of War or Currently we are developing a web based project, Profiles of the Past, about British Shadows of Conflict Portrait history. The concept is to look silhouettes produced during WW1. There are numerous artists work are associated with this period and very evocation imagery.
It seems very likely that the Brighton Silhouette artists played a significant part in contribution to the work of the period. The project could exist as a satellite to the profile website and could, perhaps, result in an exhibition sometime between 2014 and 2018.
How/actions: Interested parties to meet Jan and Feb 2014
When ? Between 2014 and 2018 starting spring 2014
Who? Nick Tyson [email protected]
0797 409 6251
Regency Town House
13 Brunswick Square
15 Agenda Item: How Can We Get Arts Organisations to Contribute to Commemorative Events?
Convenor Name: HANNAH JARMAN & PAM JARVIS
Group Names: DAVINDER DHILLON, VAL BETTS, GEORGIA BARRINGTON, NICK BETT, RHETT BARTLEY, MICHAEL OLDEN, NORMAN JACOBS, KATE REGESTER
There are only two artistic events – how can we promote more? Rotary club are interested in supporting arts events: Acapella events Davinder suggested something associated with People’s Day – food from the period, music etc. Pam raised an issue about getting the tone right – celebratory vs commemorative. A tone of remembrance is important. The Fringe is a good opportunity to present artistic commemorative events. A section in the Fringe programme for example. - Issues about cross marketing within the arts – are the arts organisations too competitive? How are these groups funded? Is this a barrier? War poetry and music are an important artistic aspect for commemorative events
Continued/…
16 Recommendations: - Call a meeting/ event for arts organisations? i.e. an open space event? - New Writing South: workshops of poetry for children - Can the Council advocate for arts events? i.e. Places to market events and put up posters? – Donna Close - Create a calendar of events - Do we need a leader? Someone to chair the events – Arts Commission? Council? - Look into marketing of the big film screen at the Railway Station for community events. - 15 libraries in Brighton and Hove – can they be venues for events? – can they publicise events elsewhere
How/Actions: Networking/ meeting Needs backing from the Council Publicity on Facebook and the Sounds of War website When ? By February 2014
Who? Nick Beck, Pam Jarvis, Norman Jacobs
17 Convenor Name: RHETT BARTLEY Agenda item: Group Names: AVERIL OLDER (chairman Max Miller Rotary Clubs & Friends concert parties society) Join forces with MMSO to put on concert parties Max Miller was gassed in trenches Will talk to musical directors (Loose Cannons, Sussex Voiceworks) Go to Menin Gate to lay wreath Strike a Light (community arts and heritage events) www.strikealight.com Nikki Benge
Communicate with Max Miller Society and Sussex Voiceworks, B&H Soiree Rotary Clubs “Loose Cannons” acapella group to identify and organise joint events
Sussex Voiceworks and other choir/orchestra concerts to include relevant material e.g. Armed Man, Peacemakers, War Requiem
How/Actions: Talk to Loose Cannons Sussex Voiceworks Stay in touch with Max Miller Society When ? 20.11.13 18.11.13 Ongoing
Who? [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
18 Convenor Name: Amanda Scales
Group Names: Amanda Scales, Richard Tuset, Averil Older
Having a heritage WW1 centenary bus, with key images/ locations of WW1 linked to bus routes/ memorials in Brighton/ Hove and Portslade. High visibility School/ young people involved? Link to “Henry Alingham” bus. Link/ Have QR codes. Agenda Item: Council to contact bus company & negotiate this happening & resources. Heritage Bus Council helping with possible funding.
How/Actions: Council to contact bus company and negotiate this happening and resources. Council helping with possible funding
When ? ASAP
Who? Amanda Scales ([email protected])
(Amanda has a lot of knowledge on WW1)Hove BN3 1EH
19 Agenda Item: Role of Hospitals in WW1 (RSCH) B6H The Kitchener Hospital
Convenor Name: Anna Barnes
Group Names: Brian Bater, Averil Older, Alan Pocock Recommendations:
Harry Gaston’s history used as basis Use Harry Gaston’s book as a starting point Archive photographs Call out to retired doctors and nurses for archive Cross reference to Rotary and funding material Who nursed – note of homes – cross reference Use The Keep for archive material under themes of with suffragism mental health – St Francis Development of Kitchener Hospital Development of medicine – treatment of gunshot Development of medicine – gunshot wounds, gas, eye, wounds convalescence, route in for casualties – Eastern Road (Kemp Eye treatment Town station) Role of women Domestic causalities Importance of convalescence - mental health Use of Kemp Town Station - shell shock - dystonia How/Actions: Use of St George’s Church for - relationship with St. Francis exhibition - contact Douglas Chambers - use retired nurses When? Start after Christmas - staff as resources Red Cross and St. Johns Ambulance Who? [email protected]
20 Agenda Item: How Can We Raise Awareness That WWI Was Not Just a Eurocentric Conflict But Involved Over 30 Nationalities?
Convenor Name: Davindor Dhillon
Group Names: Hannah Jarman, Pam Jarvis, Rob Baker, Kate Regester, Georgia, Amana Scales, Val Betts, Norman Jacobs
How did the war impact on the soldiers taking part Sources: and their families once the war was over, e.g. - Imperial War museum & letters economically, socially, culturally. - Sir Dunston letters & archives Who were the troops – the different nationalities? How - Pacifist groups many were involved? - Various nationality groups - Universities (local & national) – Richard knows How to present this information? of an East Sussex University group dealing with - Research, Articles WWI - “War” music from different nationalities - - Art installations Recommendations: - Poetry Can funding be provided to do research on this topic - Plays for a couple of people please? - Exhibitions How/Actions: Getting interested groups together to Where? form a plan and actions? - Main Library - Community Libraries When? ASAP
Who? [email protected]
21 Agenda Item: How Do We - or Do We Not- Involve the City’s Youngest Residents (pre-school – infant school)?
Convenor Name: Michael Olden
Group Names: Kate Regester & Sam Warren
How do we relate to “conflict”? How do we make it relevant to the lives of children? Looking for veteran groups to work with children Talk to community workers who run parent and toddler groups Make a list of books for children on conflict.
How/Actions: Put Michael in contact with community workers. Compile a list of children books on themes of conflict.
Who? Sam Warren, Kate Regester
22 Agenda Item: How Can We Facilitate Learning – Formal – Informal Wider Community
– Focus on the Great War & Impact on British Society ( families, social relationships, economic, religion, women’s roles, history)
Convenor Name: Amanda Scale, NIACE Ambassador for continuing education
Group Names: Kate Regester, Alison Dollow, Davinder Dhillon, Rabbi Andrea
Learning programmes Connection – links – past and Testimonies Link in Allison, British & Hove Reform now Civilians & soldiers Synagogue Use of library space (Rabbi Andrea) Jubilee library Kate – libraries – place – link Diversity Children and young people us all together Promote learning Develop stock – respond to Read Engage wider community need Write Women e-books – promote Talk Immigrants Listen Groups – use facilities 6 book challenge Role play Research Living library Poetry Conversation Oral history Minorities Diversity – enable Groups – single people Pull people into the learning Aim – non readers – speak community i.e. minorities, class divisions, LGBT FUNDING to provide (Rabbi Andrea)
facilitators Continued/… Bring learners together
23 To link with the city’s libraries as a place to facilitate learning to the wider community – both adults and children Contact Strike a Light (community arts & heritage) Nikki Benge www.strikealight.com
How/Actions:
Partnership meeting – email to arrange
When?
Beginning of 2014
Who? ( Name & Email) Amanda Scales [email protected] Kate Regester [email protected]
24 Agenda Item: How to Set the Science, Evolutionary, Psychological, Ethical to be Discussed & Debated
Convenor Name: Richard Robinson
Group Names: Sam Warren, Nick
How to embed the psychological impact of war within other learning events/activities Schools involvement, covering things like post traumatic stress, how to function out of war (after) zones Who is the enemy/hero and why? Do people need to die in war? What is the responsibility of arms manufacturers?
Recommendations: Make sure thinking is embedded in other activities
25 Agenda Item Commemorate the contribution of the India soldiers (1914-1918) & a wreath laying ceremony at the India Gate
Convenor name: Bert Williams
Group names: Father Andrew, Rabbi Andria, Averil Older, Davinder Dhillon, Nick Tyson.
Wreath laying. Interfaith
Guest list: Indian High Commission, Pakistan High Commission, Bangladesh High Commission, Napal High Commission, dignitary, high sheriff, lord lieutenant, mayor, councillors, ex councillors, schools, ex service men & women, India army, British police, British army, service men & women.
Events: Exhibition, letter reading, refreshments, music, speeches.
Decorate a room as a ward in the Dome or Corn Exchange.
Work with the council
Need admin help
How/Actions: Planning Group: Chattri, Hindu Elders, Mosaic, Black History, BMECP, Muslim ?
When ? Sunday 26th October 2014, 1pm India Gate & beyond
26 Agenda Item: Registration for the Ypres & the Menin Gate Memorial Visit, Belgium 8.8.14
27 Brighton & Hove Black History Month Display - Bert Williams
!
28 Closing Remarks:
- Good to have conversations & work out how the library can contribute
- We're at the beginning so this has given us lots of good ideas
- It was very good but very short
- Very useful to meet all sorts of people feels like there is so much
- A lot of potential
- It makes us realise how we are integrated, looking forward to a lot more conversations
- I'm enlightened
- Good fun to hear everyone and see how smaller groups can get involved
- I've started some conversations that I've wanted to have for months
- How do we communicate to other people that haven't been involved yet
- Very interesting
- Got a real buzz about today, let's hope we can sustain it and keep it going for the next four years
- Can we list and share emails? Continued/…
29 - Can we work together?
- A useful format to meet lots of people and have useful discussions
- Inspiring to meet see how people are connecting ideas to make them grow
- There are more ideas to add to the programme, please email them to me [email protected]
- I feel honoured to be here and to be part of this friendly meeting, it doesn't feel like work
- A fun and respectful morning and I've learnt a lot
- We are going to have to keep coming back to make sure we have an appropriate programme. The steering group will guide and lead that process
30 The newsroom reporters: Belinda Cousins, Diane Coe & Eva Kritharelli
31
Open Space Facilitators:
Branwen Lorigan [email protected]
Lisa Finch [email protected]