Duxford and veterans
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In view of (a) the initial decision and (b) the current spin in respect of the charge, do we now think that this is an issue in respect of which the Director of IWM Duxford should seriously consider his position?
Not so N, but still FG
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posted 3rd June 2004 07:25
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If anyone would like to put their (real) name to a hard copy letter to the Director at Duxford inviting him, at the least, to review this event and to make a proper, unspun statement about it, kindly send me an email to [email protected]
Suggested text of letter follows:-
Edwin Inman OBE
Director
Imperial War Museum Duxford
Duxford Aerodrome
Cambridgeshire CB2 4QR
Dear Mr Inman
We are a group of private pilots and aviation enthusiasts who have been gravely concerned by the Museum’s decision to charge Normandy veterans an admission charge at the Museum’s D-Day event at Duxford. Many of us have offered to contribute money in order to ensure that no veteran has to pay to attend an event commemorating the courage and sacrifice of the generation that gave so much to preserve our freedom during World War Two.
Our concern has, however, been exacerbated by the ungracious and, in our opinion, disingenuous manner in which the Museum’s press statements have responded to public criticism of the decision to charge veterans. The Museum has publicly presented the offer made by many of us to pay charges for veterans as though it were some form of public-spirited initiative on the part of the Museum. Furthermore, we understand that the Museum is proposing to collect charges from public supporters on behalf of veterans, but not in fact to waive the charges themselves. It appears that the Museum has not accepted the principle that the cost of the event should be borne by the Museum through its public funding and/or through general admission charges not levied on veterans or paid on their behalf.
We are also disappointed that emails and letters to the Museum concerning this matter have gone unanswered.
We invite you now to accept, and to state publicly (1) that no charge will be made to or collected on behalf of any veteran for attending the D-Day event (2) that the Museum was in error in setting any admission charge for veterans.
We suggest that contributions made by members of the public to offset charges to veterans should be donated to appropriate charities.
Yours sincerely
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If anyone would like to put their (real) name to a hard copy letter to the Director at Duxford inviting him, at the least, to review this event and to make a proper, unspun statement about it, kindly send me an email to [email protected]
Suggested text of letter follows:-
Edwin Inman OBE
Director
Imperial War Museum Duxford
Duxford Aerodrome
Cambridgeshire CB2 4QR
Dear Mr Inman
We are a group of private pilots and aviation enthusiasts who have been gravely concerned by the Museum’s decision to charge Normandy veterans an admission charge at the Museum’s D-Day event at Duxford. Many of us have offered to contribute money in order to ensure that no veteran has to pay to attend an event commemorating the courage and sacrifice of the generation that gave so much to preserve our freedom during World War Two.
Our concern has, however, been exacerbated by the ungracious and, in our opinion, disingenuous manner in which the Museum’s press statements have responded to public criticism of the decision to charge veterans. The Museum has publicly presented the offer made by many of us to pay charges for veterans as though it were some form of public-spirited initiative on the part of the Museum. Furthermore, we understand that the Museum is proposing to collect charges from public supporters on behalf of veterans, but not in fact to waive the charges themselves. It appears that the Museum has not accepted the principle that the cost of the event should be borne by the Museum through its public funding and/or through general admission charges not levied on veterans or paid on their behalf.
We are also disappointed that emails and letters to the Museum concerning this matter have gone unanswered.
We invite you now to accept, and to state publicly (1) that no charge will be made to or collected on behalf of any veteran for attending the D-Day event (2) that the Museum was in error in setting any admission charge for veterans.
We suggest that contributions made by members of the public to offset charges to veterans should be donated to appropriate charities.
Yours sincerely
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Final Total GBP3116
GBP 2,780.00 was transferrred to the IWM account yesterday, the balance of GBP 336.00 has now also gone across.
dhs
paulc
matspart3
all snuck in under the barrier with donations as it was going down.
The list is now definitely CLOSED, sorry but I have to draw a line at some point.
I hope the weather holds up and the Veterans have a great time on Sunday.
Mike
GBP 2,780.00 was transferrred to the IWM account yesterday, the balance of GBP 336.00 has now also gone across.
dhs
paulc
matspart3
all snuck in under the barrier with donations as it was going down.
The list is now definitely CLOSED, sorry but I have to draw a line at some point.
I hope the weather holds up and the Veterans have a great time on Sunday.
Mike
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That is magnificent. I hope IWM is proud of itself!
What a disgraceful exhibition of contempt for the veterans it was.
I strongly suggest that you get from them a penny for penny account of the funds and where the money left over went. Not to IWM should be a condition. They have done immense harm to their cause and I think the papers should know about their very bad management. They come out of this smelling of the stink they deserve.
What a disgraceful exhibition of contempt for the veterans it was.
I strongly suggest that you get from them a penny for penny account of the funds and where the money left over went. Not to IWM should be a condition. They have done immense harm to their cause and I think the papers should know about their very bad management. They come out of this smelling of the stink they deserve.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Many thanks for your considerable efforts Mike!
Out of interest, I just received the following in an email from IWM - which ever way you read it, I think IWM might have handled things slightly more delicately!
----------------------------------------
Thank you for your email concerning the charging of veterans at the D Day Anniversary Air Show at Duxford on 6 June 2004.
The Museum recognised that there would be veterans who would not be able to travel to France for the 60th anniversary celebrations and might wish to attend an anniversary air show instead, we therefore wanted to offer some special facilities where the veterans could enjoy the show in a VIP marquee. The reserved area for veterans included private seating in an advantageous viewing position, access to the flight line walk, a complimentary souvenir programme, cloakroom facilities, etc. The decision was made to make an £8 charge (the standard senior citizen charge on a non event day) for the veteran and a guest as a contribution to the cost for these facilities. The Museum has been working with the Normandy Veterans Association throughout and this organisation has fully supported our plans.
We have also been working with the NVA and the Royal British Legion to auction a valuable solid silver scale model of a Spitfire. All the proceeds from this will be split equally between the Normandy Veterans Association and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. For information the NVA will also be holding a major reunion here at Duxford on 12 July 2004 when approximately 1,000 members are expected to attend. The Museum is not making any charge for this facility.
The Museum is pleased to announce that, following some very generous donations from members of the public which has been added to the Museum’s own subsidy, veterans of the Normandy campaign will now be able to enjoy the D Day air show at Duxford free of charge. All veterans who have already purchased tickets will have their money refunded next week. Any monies remaining in this fund after the air show will be donated to the Normandy Veterans Association and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
I hope this information will provide a balanced view of the way the IWM Duxford has approached this very important anniversary. Thank you again for your valued input.
Yours sincerely
Stuart Lawson
Front of House Manager
Out of interest, I just received the following in an email from IWM - which ever way you read it, I think IWM might have handled things slightly more delicately!
----------------------------------------
Thank you for your email concerning the charging of veterans at the D Day Anniversary Air Show at Duxford on 6 June 2004.
The Museum recognised that there would be veterans who would not be able to travel to France for the 60th anniversary celebrations and might wish to attend an anniversary air show instead, we therefore wanted to offer some special facilities where the veterans could enjoy the show in a VIP marquee. The reserved area for veterans included private seating in an advantageous viewing position, access to the flight line walk, a complimentary souvenir programme, cloakroom facilities, etc. The decision was made to make an £8 charge (the standard senior citizen charge on a non event day) for the veteran and a guest as a contribution to the cost for these facilities. The Museum has been working with the Normandy Veterans Association throughout and this organisation has fully supported our plans.
We have also been working with the NVA and the Royal British Legion to auction a valuable solid silver scale model of a Spitfire. All the proceeds from this will be split equally between the Normandy Veterans Association and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. For information the NVA will also be holding a major reunion here at Duxford on 12 July 2004 when approximately 1,000 members are expected to attend. The Museum is not making any charge for this facility.
The Museum is pleased to announce that, following some very generous donations from members of the public which has been added to the Museum’s own subsidy, veterans of the Normandy campaign will now be able to enjoy the D Day air show at Duxford free of charge. All veterans who have already purchased tickets will have their money refunded next week. Any monies remaining in this fund after the air show will be donated to the Normandy Veterans Association and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
I hope this information will provide a balanced view of the way the IWM Duxford has approached this very important anniversary. Thank you again for your valued input.
Yours sincerely
Stuart Lawson
Front of House Manager
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I have received the identical anodyne response. I have responded indicating my disappointment at Duxford's inability to own up to a mistake, and inviting an individual rather than a standardised response.
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What a chance missed!
Two things. What they could have done was to at least avoid saying 'members of the public' and say it how it was. They were not people off the street! They could have even mentioned PPRuNe.
I have reached the inevitable conclusion that these people are pompous prats who do not know how to be contrite and down to earth.
Can someone just remind them of this possibly - by drawing their attention to the good people of PPRuNe?
Two things. What they could have done was to at least avoid saying 'members of the public' and say it how it was. They were not people off the street! They could have even mentioned PPRuNe.
I have reached the inevitable conclusion that these people are pompous prats who do not know how to be contrite and down to earth.
Can someone just remind them of this possibly - by drawing their attention to the good people of PPRuNe?
Gnome de PPRuNe
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I responded to the email and suggested that PPRuNe and Flyer (whose Forum members also contributed I believe) should at least get a mention over the PA...
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Sent Linda Quinn at IWM an e-mail last week.
Reply received this morning
Mike
Hi Linda
Just to help you with your sums
You should have received from me
2780.00 in the first transfer
336.00 in the second transfer
3116.00 in total
You should have then taken 80.00 from (3 OL's) Credit Card, bringing the total to 3196.00
At 8.00 per veteran this comes out at Three Hundred and Ninety Nine and a Half veterans!
I gather Jenni Morton was upset by the thought of half a veteran so she sent you a cheque for 4.00 to sponsor his other half.
This should have brought the total to 3,200.00 or a nice round figure of 400 veterans sponsored
I trust they had a good time.
Just to help you with your sums
You should have received from me
2780.00 in the first transfer
336.00 in the second transfer
3116.00 in total
You should have then taken 80.00 from (3 OL's) Credit Card, bringing the total to 3196.00
At 8.00 per veteran this comes out at Three Hundred and Ninety Nine and a Half veterans!
I gather Jenni Morton was upset by the thought of half a veteran so she sent you a cheque for 4.00 to sponsor his other half.
This should have brought the total to 3,200.00 or a nice round figure of 400 veterans sponsored
I trust they had a good time.
Hi Mike,
Yes, it was a brilliant day for everyone that came. For veterans, so nostalgic, many a tear was shed.
I understand from Ted (Ted Inman, Director IWM) all of this money is to be paid to the Normandy Veterans Association, Ted told me he would be writing to you to that effect. I will wait for another week before sorting it all out, taking into account any stragglers.
Tell Jenni Well Done, and once again thank you all.
Regards,
Linda.
Linda Quinn
Finance Officer
Imperial War Museum Duxford
tel 01223 499323 fax 01223 837267
e-mail [email protected]
Yes, it was a brilliant day for everyone that came. For veterans, so nostalgic, many a tear was shed.
I understand from Ted (Ted Inman, Director IWM) all of this money is to be paid to the Normandy Veterans Association, Ted told me he would be writing to you to that effect. I will wait for another week before sorting it all out, taking into account any stragglers.
Tell Jenni Well Done, and once again thank you all.
Regards,
Linda.
Linda Quinn
Finance Officer
Imperial War Museum Duxford
tel 01223 499323 fax 01223 837267
e-mail [email protected]
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I too received the standard response and sent the following reply:
Thank you for sending me a copy of the standard response, Sue.
I think it is a great pity that:
1. The IWM was so short-sighted as to impose a charge in the first place for this one-off event and thereby reap such negative publicity.
2. You feel obliged to refer to 'members of the public' when funds were received from two sources who could have been identified and publicly thanked.
3. The whole tone of the letter is unapologetic and attempts to put a positive spin on what, in my opinion, was a disgraceful and heartless decision by the senior Duxford management.
Nothing contained in the letter or in the subsequent actions of the organisers has given me any reason to change my mind. I have paid my final visit to Duxford and so have a great number of my friends and colleagues. In the long run, the IWM will be the real losers in this sad issue.
Thank you for sending me a copy of the standard response, Sue.
I think it is a great pity that:
1. The IWM was so short-sighted as to impose a charge in the first place for this one-off event and thereby reap such negative publicity.
2. You feel obliged to refer to 'members of the public' when funds were received from two sources who could have been identified and publicly thanked.
3. The whole tone of the letter is unapologetic and attempts to put a positive spin on what, in my opinion, was a disgraceful and heartless decision by the senior Duxford management.
Nothing contained in the letter or in the subsequent actions of the organisers has given me any reason to change my mind. I have paid my final visit to Duxford and so have a great number of my friends and colleagues. In the long run, the IWM will be the real losers in this sad issue.
