SHsheff Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 I happened to be driving out Ollerton-way (other side of Worksop/Mansfield, over towards the A1) at the weekend and stumbled on the UK Holocaust Centre. They exist largely to provide an information/exhibition location for educational parties to visit, as well as providing a place of memorial (gardens etc) called Beth Shalom (House of Peace) for families of holocaust victims. However, they are also open to the general public, and welcome visits from 'ordinary people' (ie not just school parties). From the end of September the public are welcome from 10am-5pm, Mon to Fri. Victims from the holocaust are often present on these days to talk to school children, but are also of course available to members of the public who might be interested in what they have to say. The Holocaust Centre is also home to the Aegis Trust, which works in conjunction with Amnesty International to prevent other genocide. There are short films which can be watched about Darfur, for example, as well as guidance as to how people can become involved, even in a very small way, to help prevent the genocide happening in Darfur right now. I appreciate that this isn't mainstream Sheffield Forum thread content, but thought it worth posting all the same. Every little bit helps in raising people's consciousness, imo. It's well worth a thought-provoking visit. There are very accessible, well-informed staff as well as a rather nice coffee shop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox20thc Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 <--- Stands back and waits for the bigots and idiots to start being critical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenH Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 I have driven within a few miles of it hundreds of times and yet this is the first I have ever heard of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeP Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 <--- Stands back and waits for the bigots and idiots to start being critical Nah...if they do they'll get some serious short-shrift from the Mods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fareast Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 I think it's a very good idea to have something like this. The nearest I've seen to anything like it was the 2nd. World War section at the Imperial War Museum in London. I used to take classes of 15 year olds there every year and it made them think a bit! Later at the Imperial War Museum they had a special section, purely about the holocaust and later, I believe one opened in Manchester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sTaGeWaLkEr Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Thanks for posting that SH. I watched a programme on Teleport a few months ago called 'Auschwitz - The Forgotten Evidence' I watched it again last night. It was quite emotional! We must never be allowed to forget the unforgiveable way in which those people were treated! There is an Auschwitz related thread here Hope you are well x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHsheff Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 I have driven within a few miles of it hundreds of times and yet this is the first I have ever heard of it. Me too, KenH. I even lived within a few miles of the centre, and never saw or heard anything about it. Apparently since 2003 they've been throwing their doors open to the general public (rather than just being available for pre-arranged visits or to school parties) but a lack of funds has hindered their ability to publicise it properly. It's a very professionally set-up establishment, fully able to cope with tourism on a decent scale, yet it seems to be so hidden away. However, they are increasingly attempting to bring the existence of the centre to the public's attention. It's good to think that, via Sheffield Forum, we can help to highlight their presence. Maybe we could have an unofficial Forum Trip one weekend! I'm sure we'd be able to arrange it, if people were interested but didn't have transport. Alternatively, it'd be great if individuals would maybe make the effort to call in if they were in the area. It is worth seeing, and it's interesting talking to the people there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHsheff Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 We must never be allowed to forget the unforgiveable way in which those people were treated! There is a quote from a survivor to the effect of "When we arrived in London in 1945 we were told that never again would this be allowed to happen. We believed it. Yet, since then, there has been Rwanda, and now Darfur." THAT's the point, sTaGeWaLkEr - this ISN'T just a place of 'old history' - this is very much a place where the people involved are working to try to prevent genocide happening now (as is happening in Darfur) and in the future. I walked into the centre expecting a museum to the Nazi holcaust - which, indeed, there is - but wasn't expecting to find that they (via the Aegis Trust) were also very active in highlighting and trying to prevent the atrocities that are happening NOW. That made it very real, and very relevant to today. Honestly, very thought-provoking and conscience-pricking. PS, yes I'm good ty and looking forward to seeing you again! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadgetgirl Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 The old chap forgot Bosnia then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sTaGeWaLkEr Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 THAT's the point, sTaGeWaLkEr - this ISN'T just a place of 'old history' - this is very much a place where the people involved are working to try to prevent genocide happening now (as is happening in Darfur) and in the future. I'd be up for a visit one weekend then... x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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