Watton (Griston), Norfolk - MEMORIALS

[REF]

This memorial is at HMP Wayland Prison, Griston. Near Watton. Please make sure that if you visit it that you get the relevant permission from the visitor reception area as, naturally they get a bit nervous if you just turn up with a camera!

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/20071005Watton2.jpg

Richard

[DG1]

Watton Memorial redicated.
Saw this on EDP website.
Special ceremony at war memorial
AURA SABADUS

17 June 2008 09:08


British and American war veterans will be attending a special ceremony this weekend for the re-dedication of a war memorial.

The ex-servicemen who are all in their eighties will be travelling from all over the country and America to Watton to attend a re-dedication service of a memorial to the men of the 25th Bomb Group - a special reconnaissance group based in Watton during the final year of he war.

The guest of honour is Air Commodore the Hon. Sir Timothy Elworthy, who was the guest at the original unveiling of the RAF memorial in 1984. Baroness Shephard of Northwold, and local dignitaries will also attend.

The Act of Remembrance and re-dedication of memorials will be led by the Venerable Martin Gray, Archdeacon of Lynn.

The memorial to the men of the 25th Bomb Group was first erected and dedicated 24 years ago and positioned just inside the main gate at RAF Watton. It was joined some years later by a memorial to the Royal Air Force. Eighty four American veterans attended the original unveiling and dedication and a similar event took place a year later for the Blenheim propeller which is the RAF memorial. The propeller came from one of the Blenheim aircraft shot down at Aalborg, Denmark which was recovered and returned to Watton by a Danish Scenes of Crime Officer.

A few years ago the Wartime Watton Project Team were required to relocate the memorials, as the Ministry of Defence were selling the technical site. They were later moved to the south of the site near the old officers' mess which remained open as a joint RAF and community building and housed the Wartime Watton exhibition for ten years.

The MOD subsequently decided to close and demolish the building, leaving the two memorials completely isolated and prone to vandalism.

Following lengthy negotiations with developers Cofton Ltd, it has now been agreed to return the memorials to their original positions where they will be more secure and more readily viewed by visiting veterans and their families. Each year since the memorials were established the Wartime Watton Team have ensured that they are cleaned and cared for and that wreaths are laid on Remembrance Sunday.

The re-dedication ceremony will be held in Watton on Saturday, at 11am.


Regards Richard

[REF]

Richard,

thanks for posting the info up, I have put a note on the "airfield related events" part of the forum as well. Unfortunately I will not ba able to make it but if you, or anyone else are in the aera then please can some photos be posted up.

And, welcome to the forum as well!

[REF]

Having just spent a day at an airfield in north west norfolk, I thought I'd stop at Watton on the way home. I thought it would be nice to see the memorials in the new positions, they have only just recently be re-dedicated as well.

The Blenheim Propellor was nice to see in the new position and it looked as thought it has been given a protective coating.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/DSC_0120-1-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/DSC_0123-1-1.jpg

Then we crossed to the other side and couldn't believe what we saw, what has the world come to? I was speachless.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/DSC_0131-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/DSC_0129-1-1.jpg

[norwichpaul]

Not content with destroying the airfield tech site, the locals wreck the memorial too. What is wrong with the people of Watton?

The downside of publicising too much information on the internet about the location of anything that th scum of society think is worth trashing just for the fun of it and knowing that it will distress those who actually do have some respect for what these places actually stand for. You have to appreciate that even scum like this have access to computers and believe it or not actually know how to use them for their own sad form of research. The whole break down in the fabric of society reminds me about the beliefs of the North American Indians when considering so-called western civilisation. We always consider that as we have a developed legal system this is the mark of a civilised country. However, the NA Indians believe the opposite is in fact true; in other words a civilisation would only need to start making laws if indeed there was some break down in that civilisation. When I see things like this I tend to agree with the NA Indian point of view.

[jason]

STRING THE *@@KERS UP BY THEIR B@@@OCKS!!! Sometimes you have to despair in society that toerags like this are able to be allowed to breath, i hope they see this and feel ashamed at what they've done, somehow i doubt it. In which case my opening statement stands

[Brave D]

What is the world coming to? Show these pictures to some of the Base Security guys at either Lakenheath or Mildenhall. Or possibly a couple of US Marines, fresh back from Afghanistan. I feel sure that they would like to meet the scrotes who did this face to face.

I'd pay good money to see that happen.

Perhaps the least that we could do on this forum is offer our services in trying to clean up the memorial and remove the graffiti. Perhaps this is a more positive stance than merely having a rant about the mindless individuals who were responsible for the defacing. Just an idea.

[Brave D]

I agree with your sentiment, but does the phrase "Pot to Kettle. Over." Mean anything?

[REF]

I have had an email from Julian of the rafwatton.info website, says the masons will be visiting the memorial next week. Hopefully things will be put right soon.

[jason]

How about cleaning the memorial using the toerags faces?? Just a thought.

[Peter]

I am too upset for words right now!

[DF]

These scumbags have no respect for anything. They need to be taught a lesson, one I would gladly give.

[CDP]

For Christ's sake - can't these scrotes leave ANYTHING alone!!

I agree with everything on here. I'm speechless! It's like pi$$ing on someone's grave. Absolute lowest of the low. I'd like to say more but it's probably very illegal.............

What's the "UK" thing about?

Chris

[olympusman]

What a pity, in which world are we living ?

[berrs003]

SHOCKED!

i can only guess the UK is because its a USAF memorial?

I try to put myself in their shoes, afterall i am of similar age (i assume)
but can never quite work out the motives of some of these low lives! :evil:

[SimonT]

Can't say as this shocks or suprises me to be honest.

Wherever you go, the local Chav population show no respect for property or anything else.

They just think destroying stuff is something fun to do to relieve the boredom, inbetween racing cars, swilling cheap cider and smoking illegal substances.

[CDP]

Didn't stop them having a go at Goxhill's memorial either. That said, at least there has been some attempt to repair the (albeit) minor damage. That isn't the point though, is it? There are still some lowlifes out there who think these are fair game.

Chris

[SimonT]

Didn't stop the having a go at Goxhill's memorial either. That said, at least there has been some attempt to repair the (albeit) minor damage. That isn't the point though, is it? There are still some lowlifes out there who think these are fair game.

Chris

I think the Goxhill memorial was most likely pikies after the scrap metal. It's in the middle of nowhere, not many kids would be hanging round that place I think.

[mawganmad]

I've cut and pasted my post from another thread.

Not sure I agree with that CDP (Not posting info and GE, FE images on this board), surely one of the aims of this site is to let fellow airfield enthusiasts know where things are, FE and GE being helpful to that end.

I don't believe the mindless vandals are the type to find an airfield forum (difficult to find on a seach engine anyway), work out FE and GE images, and locate a place and then target it. They are usually gutless opertunists.

Don't let them get to us.

[jason]

I agree with you Mawganmad, these little s***s probably live in the hovils built nearby, they haven't the IQ or savvy to travel far when they can s**t on their own doorstep, take solice in " what goes around comes around " hopefully they'll have something one day which someone else will destroy.

[norwichpaul]

Yes I agree but it is not only about chaves defacing Memorials, its also about locals or urban explorers who ever they, or what ever their lable is, smashing windows in order to get access to buildings that you and I have the greatest respect for and which we ask permission to get access in order to photoghraph or just have a lookk at. The same buildings that the land owners are getting pissed off that their buildiungs are being abused in this way which ultimately means that the rest of us are denied access because we are labled with the same brush as those who get a kick out of abusing and do not respect private property.

[SimonT]

Yes I agree but it is not only about chaves defacing Memorials, its also about locals or urban explorers who ever they, or what ever their lable is, smashing windows in order to get access to buildings that you and I have the greatest respect for and which we ask permission to get access in order to photoghraph or just have a lookk at. The same buildings that the land owners are getting pissed off that their buildiungs are being abused in this way which ultimately means that the rest of us are denied access because we are labled with the same brush as those who get a kick out of abusing and do not respect private property.

True, but urban explorers wouldn't deface or wreck up a memorial.

[Stu]

I see Richards shots also posted on UKAR and I replyed on there also arrived at work last week in a Churchyard to find a Cross pushed over I have no words for these scumbags :evil:

[norwichpaul]

Simon T you are missing the point, and that is vandalism , whether it be a memorial or some ones property - the same rule applies. Yes Urban explorers are less likely to damage a memorial but they are likely to damage property in order to gain access. I know because I have been working at such a place, They get in over farm land, and the first building they find is the control tower which gets the brunt of the vandlalism, windows get smashed and access then is easy. It is the furthest away from security and it gets the brunt of the abuse, other buildings less so. When caught they even bribe security who will not be bought! They thankfully are now prosecuted.

[jason]

I agree NP, These louts give us a bad name and when approached by us proper enthusiasts the land owner concerned gives us the business end of his shot-gun, i've been lucky but i suppose the day will come when i'll get told GO AWAY!

[SimonT]

Simon T you are missing the point, and that is vandalism , whether it be a memorial or some ones property - the same rule applies.

Oh I agree, its just that the urban explorers I'm familair with don't resort to breaking and entering (though I am aware that it does happen all to often) The motto is "take only pictures, leave only footprints". I'm aware of them doing sneaky things like scaling fences and generally being a little naughty, but not resorted to wanton destruction.

Thats not to say I am defending the slightly naughty ones of course, just that I thought it a little unfair to lump them into the same ungodly category as those mindless chavs who destroy memorials. But I understand where you're coming from!

[SimonT]

I agree NP, These louts give us a bad name and when approached by us proper enthusiasts the land owner concerned gives us the business end of his shot-gun, i've been lucky but i suppose the day will come when i'll get told GO AWAY!

Indeed, something like that happened to me at Binbrook (though he didn't have a shotgun).

[norwichpaul]

Fair enough SimonT

[airfields man]

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0233-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0234-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0235-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0236-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0237-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0238-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0239-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0240-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0241-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0242-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0243-1.jpg

[jason]

Was this the site of a Watton memorial?

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=52.566745,0.850207&spn=0.000929,0.002057&t=h&z=19

This seems to be in front of the Officers Mess, the small U shape in front of the oval grass island, i visited this today en-route to picking up a fare, i didn't have my camera unfortunately, and this is still visible, in fact there is still a wreath of poppies on this area.

[REF]

Yes it was Jason, photo here from August 2006.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/20060815Watton9-1.jpg

[REF]

An unusual Memorial / Monument for Watton, in the town adjacent to Tesco.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/20100316Watton1-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/20100316Watton9-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/20100316Watton4-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/20100316Watton6-1.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NORFOLK/Watton/20100316Watton7-1.jpg

[norwichpaul]

Someone ought to learn to spell correctly!

[REF]

Someone ought to learn to spell correctly!

I wondered how long it would take for someone to spot that!!

[norwichpaul]

Thats why we made you editor of Airfield Review REF!

[PETERTHEEATER]

I think 'weird' describes it rather than unusual. The 'stone' looks like a lump of concrete and what is the steel component? It wont resist the elements for long.