Duxford in trouble
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk
Age: 68
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Letter to Duxford
Have just sent the following and await the reply or response with interest
I was shocked to read that the Imperial War Museum at Duxford is proposing to charge D-day veterans, in whose honour the show is being held, an entrance fee, all be it a reduced one. I find this approach of blunt commercialism astounding and it appears to be another example of Britain’s rather mean spirited attitude towards its veterans from all wars and conflicts.
I have very recently booked my group’s aircraft with a view to flying in to Duxford for the Flying Legends Display in July. The likely benefit to Duxford of the patronage of aviators such as myself is considerable. It will unfortunately find that if it maintains its policy towards the veterans, it will loose that patronage and the substantial revenue that goes with it. I for one will not be attending any displays this year if this policy remains.
You should be aware that this matter has already become extremely controversial and it forms a significant topic on aviation internet forums. I fear that Imperial War Museum Duxford will continue to suffer substantial damage amongst both the aviation community and the general public as long as it maintains its present policy.
.
I have very recently booked my group’s aircraft with a view to flying in to Duxford for the Flying Legends Display in July. The likely benefit to Duxford of the patronage of aviators such as myself is considerable. It will unfortunately find that if it maintains its policy towards the veterans, it will loose that patronage and the substantial revenue that goes with it. I for one will not be attending any displays this year if this policy remains.
You should be aware that this matter has already become extremely controversial and it forms a significant topic on aviation internet forums. I fear that Imperial War Museum Duxford will continue to suffer substantial damage amongst both the aviation community and the general public as long as it maintains its present policy.
.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have this afternoon again tried a few times to speak to the 'Marketing Team' but only got an answerphone.
Left a message on there this morning asking if they could ring me back.
So far not heard a thing.
From here and 'th'other place' I have had pledges for sponsoring over 100 veterans so far.
I am trying to coordinate this but will ultimately need to speak to someone at Duxford to get it sorted.
In the meantime if you feel so inclined feel free to make a pledge.
Once it is all sorted I will post the details on how to send it.
FD
Left a message on there this morning asking if they could ring me back.
So far not heard a thing.
From here and 'th'other place' I have had pledges for sponsoring over 100 veterans so far.
I am trying to coordinate this but will ultimately need to speak to someone at Duxford to get it sorted.
In the meantime if you feel so inclined feel free to make a pledge.
Once it is all sorted I will post the details on how to send it.
FD
Not so N, but still FG
Join Date: May 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well done FD. If you do get through to them, please ask them to look at the large number of emails piling up in their inbox.
PS: on the Hansard thread there is a list of aviation-friendly MPs. Let's see if we can get one of them involved.
Edit: I have sent an email to John Wilkinson MP.
PS: on the Hansard thread there is a list of aviation-friendly MPs. Let's see if we can get one of them involved.
Edit: I have sent an email to John Wilkinson MP.
My e-mails gone to IWM and put me down for £8.
If IWM do not back down I would be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of those pledging support and let those gentlemen know that the sacrifices made by them, their friends and comrades is still appreciated by those who served afterwards.
If IWM do not back down I would be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of those pledging support and let those gentlemen know that the sacrifices made by them, their friends and comrades is still appreciated by those who served afterwards.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Suffolk
Age: 65
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My father-in-law landed on the Queen's section of Sword beach with Lord Lovat's Commandos on D-day. He's no longer with us, God bless him, but I know where he'd tell IWM to stick their £8. He once described to me what he'd seen when he landed on the beach, and all I can say is he was one of the bravest men I've ever met in my life. As for the management of IWM, they're not fit to polish my dad-in-law's boots. Appalling behaviour. £8 pledged.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Surrey, UK.
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
24 hours since I asked a reasonable question and they haven't bothered to respond...
While I was waiting
I found this which you may find interesting.
It details the Public Funding that Duxford/IWM get and what they are supposed to do with it.
An interesting snippet:
(my bolding)
or this one
Interesting.
Hope they reply soon - you never know what you might find on the Internet
While I was waiting
I found this which you may find interesting.It details the Public Funding that Duxford/IWM get and what they are supposed to do with it.
An interesting snippet:
2.5.1 to increase participation in culture and the development of the museum sector, the IWM will promote and deliver a wide, lively and educational programme of public activity to develop further its audience and its reputation;
Specifically the Museum will:
Deliver an exciting and diverse programme of temporary exhibitions and events, which will be inclusive of the 60 th Second World War anniversaries of D-Day and VE/VJ Day and the centenary of flight in 2003
Specifically the Museum will:
Deliver an exciting and diverse programme of temporary exhibitions and events, which will be inclusive of the 60 th Second World War anniversaries of D-Day and VE/VJ Day and the centenary of flight in 2003
or this one
3. Levels of Public Investment for 2003-2006
3.1 The level of Government funding for the 3 years 2003-2004 to 2005-2006 includes the amount announced in the Secretary of State’s letter of (22 nd October 2002) plus any further amounts agreed prior to the signing of the agreement and will be as follows:
£ms 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06
Totals 16.541 17.491 17.811
3.1 The level of Government funding for the 3 years 2003-2004 to 2005-2006 includes the amount announced in the Secretary of State’s letter of (22 nd October 2002) plus any further amounts agreed prior to the signing of the agreement and will be as follows:
£ms 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06
Totals 16.541 17.491 17.811
Hope they reply soon - you never know what you might find on the Internet
Not so N, but still FG
Join Date: May 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am still very sceptical that they are reading our emails. Meanwhile, reinforcements are on the way from Canada and the US, as friends and relatives there have blogged this and emailed like minded contacts to rally round. Project Propeller is round-robining all participants to encourage their protests also.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Guys,
From communications with some at Duxfurd it seems that I have managed to leave a voice mail on the correct answerphone and this morning a kind soul did forward me this person's email.
An email to this address was duly dispatched and in this I did refer to the emails that have been sent to the [email protected] so that they know where to look for those messages.
Can I just appeal to all here to make reasoned contributions on here and in any emails.
Back home the saying goes that one catches more flies with honey than vinegar; can't directly translate that but am sure you all catch my drift.
I have further support from one of the leading GA magazines who have pledged to sponsor 50 vets.
In my email to the person in charge I asked for a reply by email or phone by noon.
I will keep you all posted.
Frank Voeten
From communications with some at Duxfurd it seems that I have managed to leave a voice mail on the correct answerphone and this morning a kind soul did forward me this person's email.
An email to this address was duly dispatched and in this I did refer to the emails that have been sent to the [email protected] so that they know where to look for those messages.
Can I just appeal to all here to make reasoned contributions on here and in any emails.
Back home the saying goes that one catches more flies with honey than vinegar; can't directly translate that but am sure you all catch my drift.
I have further support from one of the leading GA magazines who have pledged to sponsor 50 vets.
In my email to the person in charge I asked for a reply by email or phone by noon.
I will keep you all posted.
Frank Voeten
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: U.A.E.
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They won't reply, as they don't give a dam. If they did they wouldn't charge the vets £8.
Somes up the attitude of the IWM, does it not? Common courtesy (not much of it about these days) would dictate, they reply.
Somes up the attitude of the IWM, does it not? Common courtesy (not much of it about these days) would dictate, they reply.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: northants
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Count me in, these heroes have already paid more than we can imagine, and to charge them £8 is appalling.
Emailed Duxford, let's hope they see sense. If it really is a finacial problem, increase the normal entrance fee by a pound, and let these guys in for free.
Emailed Duxford, let's hope they see sense. If it really is a finacial problem, increase the normal entrance fee by a pound, and let these guys in for free.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E-mail gone to IWM. Also to my MP, Jonathan Djanogly - it's local enough for him to take an active interest. He's a Sqn Ldr in the Parliamentary scheme and I feel that he will have sympathy for the cause.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
*****Stop Press*****
I just had an email of the PR people at Duxford. My email and our concerns have been forwarded to the Director and he will contact me.
Hope this is the first of some more good news to come.
FD
I just had an email of the PR people at Duxford. My email and our concerns have been forwarded to the Director and he will contact me.
Hope this is the first of some more good news to come.
FD
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: uk
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I work there "operationally" on an occasional basis, and I must admit to being ashamed and embarassed to be associated with a management structure who could even think of doing such a thing.
The strength of feeling on the airfield and amongst the operators is much the same.
Last week when I was there I bumped into a group of veterens who were visiting, and the subject was bought up by a "younger" non - vet accompanying them, he was interrupted by one of the group who simply said to me "don't worry about it, we've encountered far worse things than this in our time and we've made it thus far". I was lost for words.
I've printed off all these posts and put them in the internal mail to the Museum Director, he'll know who has done because I've enclosed a note making my own feelings clear, as a consequence I suspect that I wont be at Duxford quite so much in the future, but I'm not bothered if we can put an end to this nonsense.
The strength of feeling on the airfield and amongst the operators is much the same.
Last week when I was there I bumped into a group of veterens who were visiting, and the subject was bought up by a "younger" non - vet accompanying them, he was interrupted by one of the group who simply said to me "don't worry about it, we've encountered far worse things than this in our time and we've made it thus far". I was lost for words.
I've printed off all these posts and put them in the internal mail to the Museum Director, he'll know who has done because I've enclosed a note making my own feelings clear, as a consequence I suspect that I wont be at Duxford quite so much in the future, but I'm not bothered if we can put an end to this nonsense.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London, England
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's all part of the "bean counter" attitude, which considers costs above common sense.
If anyone has flown in to DX recently they will know what I mean.
Before, you went to the tower and paid your landing fee. Not any more. Someone has decided there are too many tills, so now you go to the tower, the FISO takes your details and directs you to the main entrance where you have to queue up again to pay your fee along with the coach parties.
The last time we flew in, instead of taking one person five minutes to take our money, it took three people fifteen minutes, as the FISO has to enter aircraft details onto a computer (as well as covering the radio) for the entrance people to know how much to charge. Because we had Friends of Duxford cards, which entitle us to a discount, this took further phone calls.
Everyone there thinks the arrangement is a nonsense, but it has been imposed from on high. No wonder Duxford have shot themselves in the foot over the D Day veterans. Let's hope the bad publicity will make them think again.
RD
If anyone has flown in to DX recently they will know what I mean.
Before, you went to the tower and paid your landing fee. Not any more. Someone has decided there are too many tills, so now you go to the tower, the FISO takes your details and directs you to the main entrance where you have to queue up again to pay your fee along with the coach parties.
The last time we flew in, instead of taking one person five minutes to take our money, it took three people fifteen minutes, as the FISO has to enter aircraft details onto a computer (as well as covering the radio) for the entrance people to know how much to charge. Because we had Friends of Duxford cards, which entitle us to a discount, this took further phone calls.
Everyone there thinks the arrangement is a nonsense, but it has been imposed from on high. No wonder Duxford have shot themselves in the foot over the D Day veterans. Let's hope the bad publicity will make them think again.
RD