Poignant Armistice Day at the museum; with BBC in attendance

DLIMEMORIAL

Today saw a sombre, close-knit Armistice Day vigil at the DLI Museum in Durham where, amongst those paying their respects to the fallen, where members of the ‘Save the DLI Museum’ campaign committee, and Jonathan Swingler of BBC Look North & Cumbria.

Jonathan kindly contacted us ahead of today’s remembrance and arrived to do a piece with the campaign leader, John Stephenson, after the service.

During the interview with the BBC John discussed the reason’s for the campaign, talked about how the fundraising and group figures, and detailed our thoughts and feelings on the decision of Durham County Council to close the museum and the ‘plans’ in which they have for it.

JOHN&JONATHON A brief report was put out on BBC One at lunchtime today (11/11/2015) and a more detailed one is scheduled to go out this evening at 18:30 (11/11/2015).

Don’t forget you can support the ‘Save the DLI Museum’ campaign by making a donation via the crowdfunding account HERE so we can help keep the memory alive.

 

 

Always Remember, Never Forget

DLI

Produced last year writer Rachel Cochrane visited the Always Remember, Never Forget World War I exhibition where stories inspired by, for her the ‘Sweetheart Pincushion’ which is encompassed by the poem ‘Butchers Lad Billy,’ and the ‘Pickelhaube German Military Helmet,’ both of which are housed in the exhibition.

On Remembrance Sunday Rachel Cochrane delivered a newsletter which led with the following: “During this period of Remembrance for those in the armed forces who have died in the line of duty for this country, I revisit the podcast of stories and poems inspired by the WW1 collections at the Durham Light Infantry Museum.  This may prove to be a tribute to the Museum itself in the light of sad news that it is to close next year.”

The above podcast (22:43) is very much worth a listen to those with a penchant for their local history and to those who care about the life, history and heritage of the Durham Light Infantry.

The readers on the podcast most certainly give the DLI their own voice and takes you back to what once was, and should always be.

A message from Rachel Cochrane reads: “It’s great that the work will,be appreciated by a wider audience and I hope help the plight of the DLI in the process.  Please let me know further details about the campaign. Good Luck and Best Wishes.”

 

Don’t forget you can support the ‘Save the DLI Museum’ campaign by making a donation via the crowdfunding account HERE so we can help keep the memory alive.

 

Print Press Articles

All articles published in the print press pertaining to the suggested closure of the DLI Museum can be found via their respective links.

Northern Echo 13-10-15

Durham Light Infantry Museum faces closure with plans to make collection available “to wider audience“‘

Newcastle Chronicle 21-10-15

Durham Light Infantry Museum set to close its doors as the latest victims of council cuts

Sunderland Echo 24-10-15

Angry campaigners fight to save Durham’s DLI Museum

Yorkshire Evening Post 24-10-15

Angry campaigners fight to save Durham’s DLI Museum

Durham Times 26-10-15

Protestors angry at decision to close Durham Light Museum plan to mount legal challenge

Northern Echo 28-10-15

DLI Museum closure should not be rushed

Northern Echo 29-10-15

‘”It’s brought into question the democratic process” – councillors challenge the Durham Light Infantry Museum closure

Northern Echo 02-11-15

Victoria Cross Heroes’ families back campaign to save DLI Museum