The Forget Never commemorative
exhibition started its journey at The Green Centre in Basildon, September 2014.
The exhibition was opened by MP Stephen Metcalfe and Sandra Hirons from The
Heritage Lottery Fund.
MP Stephen Metcalfe and
Sandra Hiron from The Heritage Lottery Fund open the WW1 exhibition in Basildon
The unique nature of
this project, as recognised by the Lottery Heritage Fund (who awarded the
project over £50,000), is that it also brings together Basildon with it's two
Twin Towns of Meaux in France and Heiligenhaus in Germany to create a mobile,
tri-lingual exhibition. Over the next four years the exhibition will grow as it
travels to France and Germany as well as all corners of the Borough.
The exhibition explores
life in the three townships; attitudes from three points of view and, most
importantly, allows us to remember the people – those who died, those who
suffered incredible injuries and of course those who survived and kept the
communities running during this important period in our history.
Prominent displays in
the exhibitions feature:
- Images of what
Basildon was like during the First World War
- A display that
discusses the Heiligenhaus Youth Visit held in August 2014, where youths
from Basildon, Heiligenhaus and Meaux met to plan a youth conference for
2015 based on the themes of conflict resolution and reconciliation.
- Research into 3
soldiers, George Burnett from Basildon, Louis Vallin from Meaux and Albert
Kiekert from Heiligenhaus
- Research, images
and information on Basildon's MP during WW1, The Right Honourable Rupert
Edward Cecil Lee Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh
- Images and
information on a commemorative cricket match held at Wickford Cricket Club
to raise funds for a commemorative plaque for the club
- Images of the 9 War
Memorials across the Basildon Borough
- A selection of
properganda postcards from across Europe
- A selection of
artworks created by School pupils and local artists
The Art exhibition displayed in
the centre, showcased local talent from all ages and how they had chosen to
respond to the centenary of The Great War. Art works featured pencil sketches
of the Lusitania, a model of a Zeppelin, a wreath made out of loom band
poppies, a large canvas representing trench life, painting of poppies,
paintings and drawings of soldiers from World War 1 (including relatives of
some local artists) and a glass work that represented the 3 soldiers to feature
in the projects Christmas Concert – George Burnett from Basildon, Louis Vallin
from Meaux and Albert Kiekert from Heiligenhaus.
A local youth Matthew Edson read
out a speech he had prepared on his thoughts and reaction after visiting
Basildon’s twinning town Heiligenhaus in Germany in August. One of the stand
out comments from his speech was how the group had been moved by the number of
injuries caused to soldiers and how this is not taught in schools. As a result
of the group’s findings, 3 secondary school within the area have now included
this into their curriculum when covering WW1.
A variety
of local archive and historical groups attended the opening to showcase
research and findings relating to their parishes history during World War 1.
Local MP Stephen Metcalfe and Chair of Basildon Twinning
Association Robert Sheridan
Staff
and volunteers arrived at the exhibition in period dress.
Matthew
Edson reading his speech to the audience at the exhibition in Basildon
A
selection of the art works on show at the exhibition
The
exhibition was open daily between 10am -4pm until the end of October 2014
before moving on to Meaux in France in December and then Heiligenhaus in
Germany in February.
The
exhibition was opened in Meaux by the town’s Mayor Jean Francois Cope in December
2014
The exhibition all set up and ready for the opening in Meaux, France
Jan
Heinisch, Mayor of Heiligenhaus opened the exhibition when it travelled there
in February 2015
We were delighted to have
Fricklesome Amsel, the German folk band play a few tunes at the opening of the
exhibition in Heiligenhaus
At the exhibition we met with
Johnathon Horst and Jonas Lagos, two German youths who have liaised and worked
with the team throughout the project
The exhibition in Heiligenhaus