REFLECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SCOTTISH COMMEMORATIONS PANEL WW100 SCOTLAND REPORT 2019 Contents Foreword Page 5 Summary of Recommendations Page 6 Chapter One The Panel and its Purpose Page 7 Chapter Two The Commemorative Programme Page 9 Chapter Three Partnerships Page 11 Chapter Four The use of Social Media Page 13 Chapter Five WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM ALL TH1S? Page 14 Annex A Panel Purpose and Objectives Page 16 Annex B The Scottish Commemorations Panel (SCP) Page 17 Annex C The Scottish Commemorative Programme Page 19 Annex D Historic Document booklets Page 22 3 Foreword Since being appointed to serve in early 2013 the Scottish Commemorations Panel has, throughout the commemorative period, been asking of themselves and of others the telling strapline question of “WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM ALL TH1S?” As the WW100 Scotland commemorations draw to a close – with the presentation of Certificates to Primary and Secondary schools the length and breadth of Scotland, and the laying up of a WW100 Scotland Time Capsule to be opened on 4 August 2114 and the concluding WW100 Scotland Exhibition and Art Installation in the Scottish Parliament – our thoughts have inevitably and inexorably turned to asking the question “WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM ALL TH1S?” We trust that this report, comprising 44 meetings and the organisation of 17 major events here in Scotland and overseas, alongside the supervision and encouragement of countless others across Scotland, will prove of encouragement and benefit to our successors in forthcoming commemorative events and years. Perhaps 3 main themes have emerged and sustained us in our work on behalf of those ‘who for our tomorrow gave their today’. Firstly, we have learned how important it is to use memory as a tool for the living. Secondly, we have learned that those things which have or do divide us are as nothing compared to that which unites us in our nation, across the United Kingdom and throughout the world. Thirdly, we have realised that whilst attitudes may change certain values remain the same and that there is nothing in life nor death nor in things present nor to come that can separate us from that indominable spirit of selfless service and all those who served and gave their lives that we might live. Indeed, I would be confident that if any member of the Scottish Commemorations Panel and all the countless numbers of Scots and others who have been involved in WW100 Scotland were to be asked to describe their feelings at the end of the commemorative period, then words such as ‘a privilege and an honour to serve’ would readily come to their lips. The Revd Professor Norman Drummond CBE FRSE Chair, Scottish Commemorations Panel/WW100 Scotland 5 Summary of Recommendations Chapter One: The Panel and its Purpose 1. The 13 Panel Members, with Advisers and Tri-Service representation, covered a good and wide range of interests. The Panel recommend that there should be flexibility in the work programme to involve others in Think Tanks for specific events. 2. The regularity of the venue, time and day of the week for Panel meetings was helpful for Panel Members in planning their own diaries, particularly as the meeting dates for each year were set in January. 3. Clearer understanding of the time commitment from Panel Members must be considered at the time of appointment, particularly for the Chair. 4. The quarterly meetings which the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs had with the Chair were very helpful. The meetings were planned so the Chair could provide details on Programme developments and to hear her views and report back to the Panel. Chapter Two: The Commemorative Programme 1. The criteria for inclusion in the Scottish Commemorative Programme was based on two factors: battles in which a significant number of Scots were involved; or events which happened within Scotland or Scottish waters.This worked well and ensured a good geographical spread of commemorative events across Scotland. 2. The Panel recognised that there were many events being organised at local level, within schools, at UK level and across Europe and that support and attendance, where appropriate, generates good relations. Chapter Three: Partnerships 1. Building strong relationships from the outset is important to get ‘buy-in’ across communities and organisations. 2. The UK Advisory Committee, which included all 4 Home Nations, is essential to make sure there is no conflict of events and also to aid delivery of UK wide events. 3. Earlier engagement with the Ministry of Defence to attain a commitment at the outset to support a Programme of events in Scotland would have aided the planning of the Programme. Chapter Four: The use of Social Media 1. There must be clarity of the purpose of a website and awareness of the time and financial resource required. 2. Using the website as a portal for relevant information and resources would be preferable to the endeavour of creating unique content. 3. The use of social media must play a key role in disseminating information including planned social media campaigns linked to specific events. Chapter Five: WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM ALL TH1S? 1. From the outset, the Panel’s ‘strapline’ has been ‘WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM ALL TH1S?’ This has proved to be an exceptionally apt and useful phrase and consideration of a meaningful ‘strapline’ is strongly recommended. 2. The Panel consider the Historic Document series of books to be a key legacy from the Programme and would encourage others to consider something similar. 3. Use of the Arts, as with Education, as a medium for delivering the Programme should be given full consideration. 6 Chapter One: The Panel and its Purpose In November 2011 Dr Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire, was appointed by the Prime Minister of the day, the Rt Hon David Cameron, as his Special Representative for the Centenary Commemorations of the Great War. Dr Murrison was to be supported by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as the lead Whitehall Department. A small select working group with representatives of key departments and organisations was set up and Special Representatives of the Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were invited to attend. The 4 Home Nations each committed to jointly support a UK Programme of commemorations for the key battles and events of the War, whilst determining their own Programme commemorating events of particular significance to their own countries. In Scotland, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, was asked to be the Scottish Cabinet lead on a Programme for Scotland’s commemorations. The Cabinet Secretary appointed Professor Norman Drummond as Adviser to act as strategic lead for the commemorations and to chair a Panel of expert advisers representing education, media, historians, clergy, military organisations and representatives of the Armed Forces. To ensure there would be no conflict between the UK Programme and that proposed for Scotland, Professor Drummond became a member of Dr Murrison’s working group, the UK WW1 Advisory Group, as Special Representative for Scotland. The role of the Scottish Commemorations Panel would be to assist the Chair in delivery of his remit to: • Provide advice, strategic oversight and challenge to the Scottish Government’s Commemorative Programme; • Monitor the delivery of work Programmes; • Ensure the Programme follows the purpose and objectives agreed by Scottish Ministers and monitor any risks to delivery. (See Annex A) Professor Drummond, with assistance from the Scottish Government, established a 13 strong Panel of leading people from the key areas identified. The Panel was constituted as an Advisory Panel and did not have the ability to make grant payments. The budget for the Programme, which included expenses for the Panel, was administered by the Scottish Government. One of the first steps taken in organising the planning of events was establishing ‘ThinkTanks’. These generally comprised of groups of 4 to 5 Panel Members, and sometimes ‘guest’ members, who considered the delivery of an event in detail before reporting back to the Panel for approval and agreement. Over the Commemorative period, the Panel largely remained the same with only 2 Members leaving and 2 new Members joining. The Panel has also benefitted from being joined by Special Advisers on Church and Interfaith Matters, Major Events and senior representatives from the Tri-Services. (Full list at Annex B). Support for the Panel was provided by two Scottish Government officials and additional help was provided by a member of Royal British Legion Scotland staff and a Royal Marine Reserve Captain. Recommendations 1. The 13 Panel Members (i.e. the Chair plus 12 Members), with Advisers and Tri-Service representation, covered a good range of interests. The Panel recommend that there should be flexibility in the work programme to involve others in Think Tanks for specific events. Although there was no representative young person on the Panel a wide and considerate view of the programme and its audiences was taken. The Panel recognise that it would be nigh impossible to include representatives of all interest groups so it was helpful to involve interest groups in Think Tanks. Think Tanks were led by a Panel Member and were generally around 4 to 5 Members strong. Panel Members were invited to join a Think Tank if their area of interest was relevant or could volunteer to be a member if they had a personal interest. External experts were also invited to join Think Tanks. 7 For example, The War in the Air Think Tank was led by one Panel member and attended by the Panel’s RAF Adviser, other members represented RAF Cadets, a Curator of an air heritage centre, an author of books on the progression of the war in the air and RAF serving officers from Leuchars Air Base.