Waterloo Issues
Secretary writes:
Further to my note about Quatre Bras last week I have
received the following. You may wish to become involved:
Dear Friends of History,
We have two important messages on the eve of the
bicentenary of the Waterloo campaign.
First of all, the Walloon government (in charge for this
matter in Belgium), wants to extend the historically protected area of the
Waterloo battlefield. This is a very good thing, but since there is some
local opposition, we have put up a petition in support of that project. We need
your support! Please read and sign the petition here: https://14388.lapetition.be/ And
don't forget to confirm your signature by clicking on the link in the e-mail
that you will receive. Sign and share please!
Secondly, a new request has been introduced to destroy
the historic Quatre-Bras farm, maybe the last witness of the famous battle of
16 June 1815 (two day before Waterloo). Already in September 2008, in February
2011 and in 2012-2013, we appealed to many of you in order to save from it from
destruction. Our appeal met a great success and thanks to your massive
response, the project was rejected and the authorization to destroy the historic
farm turned down. Now, again, the owner, a property developer, has introduced a
new request to destroy the farm buildings in order to build a shop and an
elderly home. More information here: http://napoleon-monuments.eu/MONUMENTSENPERIL/Quatre-Bras_EN.htm
Again, we have to stand up against this project and
express our disapproval of it. We already had some important support from the
French side, but we desperately need British and Dutch (and other) support
too! If some British and Dutch (Napoleonic or military) personalities,
associations and museums would care to send a letter to the
"Administration communale" of both towns, we are sure this could have
some impact!
The farm being located at the border of two districts,
the e-mails and/or letters of rejection have to be addressed to both
municipalities:
- at Genappe: by e-mail at: info@genappe.be
and/or by mail at:
Au Collège Communal,
Espace 2000, 3,
B-1470 Genappe
Belgium
- at Villers-la-Ville : by e-mail at olivier.vantielen@publilink.be
and valerie.damanet@publilink.be,
the two local officials in charge of the town planning at Villers-la-Ville. (If
one of these addresses gives an error message, please try again, their mailbox
has already been saturated once.)
BEFORE 9 MAY 2014 (after that date, it's too late). Don't
forget to mention name, address and phone number, and also "Fait à...
" "Done at"+ the place where you are and the date.
Regards.
Dominique Timmermans
Lieutenant-Colonel (R)
Vice-President
Association pour la Conservation des Monuments
Napoléoniens
Ypres
Paul Oldfield writes:
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it before, but on 9 July
the 5th stage of the Tour de France starts from Ypres. Might be a good day to
go to Normandy!!
New DVD Release –
Bletchley Park and the Ultra Secret
Tim Saunders writes:
Now in the warehouse is the fourth film in the BHTV series
on Special Operations. Bletchley Park and the Ultra Secret features some of the
usual Guild suspects, plus for the first time badged guide Iain Standen in his
capacity of CEO of the Bletchley Park Trust. With expert commentary and
veterans, including Guild member David Winn’s mum, Sue, who steals the show, we
explore, not just the people who worked at BP, their techniques and
technology but also their achievements and the impact they had on the
battlefield. For the first time the whole story is told in a single
documentary; 104 minutes long!
Copies are available from Andrew Duff [anduff@bridgeman-kent.co.uk]
or direct from Pen and Sword http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/special-forces-bletchley-park-and-the-ultra-secret-dvd/p/6773/
Help Wanted
Michael Kelly writes:
I am looking for a professional researcher who I would pay
to get me soldiers papers and war diaries from PRO Kew.
I would be obliged for any contact please.
Please reply to Michael on apollobattlefieldguide@gmail.com
Waterloo 2015
John Greene writes:
To get on the mailing list for tickets go to www.Waterloo2015.org answer a few
questions and leave your email address.
The Waterloo Tourist Office recently attended a briefing
where they were told that there will be seating for 30,000 with tickets priced
at 55 and 35 Euros, standing 14 Euros. Perhaps the inauguration at Hougoumont
will only be for the press.
More info the end of May or June.
Help Wanted
Secretary writes:
I have received the following - if anyone can help please
can they contact Esther direct:
My name is Esther and I’m a researcher in the BBC History
department. I’m doing some research into Caribbean and African veterans who
came to Britain to contribute to the WW2 effort and I’m on the hunt for events
in which they may be in attendance. I wonder if there are any upcoming events
that are linked to the war that include or celebrate Commonwealth veterans. I
don’t know if you have any marches, or memorials or public events happening in
the next few months in aid of Armed Forces Day or Armistice Day etc?
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you,
Esther Opoku Gyeni
Junior Researcher
History and Business Development
London Factual
M:07858048639
Menin Gate
Tim Courtenay writes:
I thought members might wish to be aware that sadly the
Menin Gate has become a “theme park event” we were there on Saturday 26th April
along with an estimated 3000 others and over 150 coaches. Parking is chaotic,
coaches moving twixt and between the Railway station which is being dug up and
the road above the Gate which is grid locked. I had a long talk to Jaquie
Platteau and other members of the Last Post Committee afterwards and they are
very concerned from a number of aspects and have no solution!! I was told by
one who lives on Hill 60 that they had some 20 coaches there at one time and as
we well know the park can take but 2 at a time.
To try and run any programme to time will need great
patience and flexibility on behalf of Guides and their clients. Some of this
information may be of interest and its only May!! What the future holds I know
not. Rudi at Den Anker said there was a surge of interest by Belgian groups for
the first time. He reports that people are now moving up to the Gate from
1900/1915.
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
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