The irony of arms event at Assembly Rooms
Tragically, we are all too aware of the devastating effects of aerial bombardment here in the city of Bath.
As your readers may know, this year is the 70th anniversary of the Bath Blitz. During just two nights of bombing in April 1942, over 400 Bath citizens were killed and countless buildings were destroyed or damaged – including the Assembly Rooms.
-
Having been gutted by fire caused by incendiaries dropped in the final raid on Bath you would think that the Assembly Rooms would be a wholly unsuitable venue to showcase the latest methods of delivering aerial bombardment by remote control.
But apparently not – a pilotless drones conference is scheduled to be held there in June.
Limited Deal. All day wedding photography only £545.00
View details
All day wedding photography only £545.00
From Bridal preparations to first dance.
250+ Hi Res images on disc with full printing rights.
Professional photography at affordable prices.
Terms:
Free no obligation consultations.
Offer subject to availability.
Book before 31st May 2013.
Email:carmelo@bellafoto.co.uk
Available in Bath, Bristol and surrounding areas.
Contact: 01225 439257
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
When former Luftwaffe bomber pilot Willi Schludecker discovered the true extent of the destruction he had helped wreak on our city, he resolved to return to Bath and offer his sincere and heartfelt apology for the part he had played in those devastating raids.
Attending a special service at Shaftesbury Road Memorial Gardens in 2008, he spoke about his ignorance of the pain and damage he had caused at the time of the bombing.
"War is madness," he said.
For his humility and humanity, Willi was embraced by the citizens of Bath.
Having made his peace, he died two years later at the age of 89.
However, following the publication of Diana Francis's open letter to Paul Crossley, Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, in last week's edition of the Bath Chronicle, we will no longer be able to claim ignorance as a defence if we fail to join her in calling on him to cancel this appalling drones conference at the Assembly Rooms.
Ultimately, this is a matter of conscience.
As Diana's letter makes clear, Bath and North East Somerset Council, who act on our behalf, have succeeded in making all of us complicit in the arms trade whether we like it or not.
ANDY MCKIM Maple Gardens Bath
Comments
by AndyMcKim
Friday, May 11 2012, 10:38AM
“A 'Stop The Drones Event at the Assembly Rooms' e-petition is now posted on the on the Bath & NES Council website:
http://tinyurl.com/bsumxxb
If you are a Bath & NES resident, and you want to see this event cancelled, please sign the e-petition, and help spread the word. As soon as we reach 1000 signatures, a public debate is automatically granted.
In peace, Andy McKim”
by bath1946
Friday, May 04 2012, 9:45AM
“It makes BANES complicit because of the choice of venue. For many, including me the choice of the Assembly Rooms is inappropriate because it is on the tourist trail.
During the War the Admiralty were based in the Empire Hotel which made Bath a justifiable military target. Churchill relocated them there because of his conviction that Hitler would not bomb a site of architectural merit. It was reputably Baron Braun von Stumm who reputably stated that following the RAF bombing of Lubeck, the Luftwaffe would attack every target meriting three stars in the Baedeker Guide. If Bath was in fact targeted because of the Admiralty command, then Churchill should bear responsibility for the relocation here.”
by MoeXXX
Sunday, April 29 2012, 12:59AM
“Well, until recently Bath also played host to the admiralty's design department and was responsible for everything up to and including the submarines that carry our nuclear deterrent.
I don't really see how a conference on remote-controlled planes suddenly makes the city complicit in the arms trade. The "arms trade" was our biggest employer for many many years.”