Should preserved railways 1940s events go ahead this year?

[43066]

What does Assume do?

I know I know. And there’s no “I” in team but there is a me etc.

But seriously, the point remains that these are charitable enterprises and choosers don’t make very convincing beggars. They certainly have no business pleading poverty over bridge renewals and loco restorations if they can afford to turn away cash like this.

I don’t think it’s surprising that charitable organisations are turning away money if anything I think they’re being sensible and making sure they’re still eligible for grants from those awarding them.

Do you have any evidence that “grants” (from whom exactly?) have been threatened to be withdrawn due to 1940s events being held?

I’m guessing yourself or several other members who use phrases like ‘woke’ or ‘liberal lefties’ have never worked in marketing?

No, have you? I’ve always understood the purpose of marketing was to increase revenue, not turn money down for appearance’s sake to appease a vociferous minority - unless you’re suggesting market research has been commissioned and these organisations are actually making a commercial decision?!

Perhaps it takes marketing expertise to explain why this particular war suddenly renders these events “offensive” when no other recent conflicts have?!

 

[WesternLancer]

But seriously, the point remains that these are charitable enterprises and choosers don’t make very convincing beggars. They certainly have no business pleading poverty over bridge renewals and loco restorations if they can afford to turn away cash like this.

Perhaps it takes marketing expertise to explain why this particular war suddenly renders these events “offensive” when no other recent conflicts have?!

In fairness they may be taking a business decision (aka a hunch) that the income lost may well be worth grief and bad publicity they may get if some people 'take offence' at the notion of such events. The general public can be fickle customers I suspect.

And on the other point there are a whole load of historical (parallels to events leading up to the 1940s that are not comparable to the other conflicts listed for example), geographical (distance from home) and other reasons that relate to this. Rightly or wrongly. And on top of that different media narratives in the national press and media too.

And you can see this playing out in different areas, for example I would say (but not checked like for like statistical information on say public donations, offering of homes to refugees etc) that the response to events in Ukraine by the general public has been notably different to say the response following the start of say the Syrian conflict - which like those other conflicts mentioned had differing causes and subsequent events - probably one for the Ukraine war thread.

 

[43066]

In fairness they may be taking a business decision (aka a hunch) that the income lost may well be worth grief and bad publicity they may get if some people 'take offence' at the notion of such events. The general public can be fickle customers I suspect.

I was editing my post to address exactly this point as you published yours just now. It’s a fair point, but I have a hunch this is knee jerk virtue signalling rather than a commercial decision along those lines (unless anyone can point to actual evidence eg have these railways commissioned proper research?).

Either way, these decisions are reducing choice and imposing a political viewpoint on those who might wish to have attended. That’s something I think we’ve seen a lot of over the past couple of years and some are perhaps now too comfortable with this approach…

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Perhaps a domestic UK theme on "Austerity Britain" could have been formulated - cancelled trains due to poor coal , dowdy and limited refreshments and rationing. Canned "Snoeke" fish and a lack of consumer goods.

Someone referred to the fact this would not be commercially viable , as limited options for "dressing up" .......his view , not mine.

 

[WesternLancer]

I was editing my post to address exactly this point as you published yours just now. It’s a fair point, but I have a hunch this is knee jerk virtue signalling rather than a commercial decision along those lines (unless anyone can point to actual evidence eg have these railways commissioned proper research?).

Either way, these decisions are reducing choice and imposing a political viewpoint on those who might wish to have attended. That’s something I think we’ve seen a lot of over the past couple of years and some are perhaps now too comfortable with this approach…

Thanks - I guess often these sorts of things are not going to be done after commissioning research - these are small voluntary bodies and they will need to make a quick judgment call based on instinct - and live with the consequences for good or ill.

Ref your second para - they are not really in the business of providing choice - they are not any sort of public service. They can do what they like, it's up to them of course. That is the prerogative of the people who put the often very tedious and thankless work behind the scenes of making things happen for the paying public to turn up to.

If people want to choose to do this sort of re-enactment they can organise such an event themselves I am sure - and enjoy or put up with the consequences either way, or seek out other similar events that will probably still go ahead (eg airshows etc).

It also occurs to me that it may be that some of the re-enacters themselves are not 100% happy about doing these sorts of events at the moment (just a guess) which may be another factor in staging the event if you are on the event planning committee.

No one is imposing a political viewpoint, unless the events have been banned by government or some other such body - they are just doing, or not doing, what they want to do, on their own property with their own resources.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2022 ==

Perhaps a domestic UK theme on "Austerity Britain" could have been formulated - cancelled trains due to poor coal , dowdy and limited refreshments and rationing. Canned "Snoeke" fish and a lack of consumer goods.

Someone referred to the fact this would not be commercially viable , as limited options for "dressing up" .......his view , not mine.

Just an invitation for spivs to come along and sell tastier food from under a nearby overcoat...

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Just an invitation for spivs to come along and sell tastier food from under a nearby overcoat...

Think of the superb film (Alan Bennett) - "A Private Function" on the "illegal" meat trade. West Yorkshire based .......

Thanks - I guess often these sorts of things are not going to be done after commissioning research - these are small voluntary bodies and they will need to make a quick judgment call based on instinct - and live with the consequences for good or ill.

Ref your second para - they are not really in the business of providing choice - they are not any sort of public service. They can do what they like, it's up to them of course. That is the prerogative of the people who put the often very tedious and thankless work behind the scenes of making things happen for the paying public to turn up to.

If people want to choose to do this sort of re-enactment they can organise such an event themselves I am sure - and enjoy or put up with the consequences either way, or seek out other similar events that will probably still go ahead (eg airshows etc).

It also occurs to me that it may be that some of the re-enacters themselves are not 100% happy about doing these sorts of events at the moment (just a guess) which may be another factor in staging the event if you are on the event planning committee.

No one is imposing a political viewpoint, unless the events have been banned by government or some other such body - they are just doing, or not doing, what they want to do, on their own property with their own resources.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2022 ==


Just an invitation for spivs to come along and sell tastier food from under a nearby overcoat...

 

[Peter Sarf]

I wonder if this is another example of someone saying something is a bad idea and listing a few reasons. Then no one else has the bottle to go against it.

Fear of being seen to ignore a complaint or "issue" is worse than the fear of making a mistake.

 

[43066]

Thanks - I guess often these sorts of things are not going to be done after commissioning research - these are small voluntary bodies and they will need to make a quick judgment call based on instinct - and live with the consequences for good or ill.

Ref your second para - they are not really in the business of providing choice - they are not any sort of public service. They can do what they like, it's up to them of course. That is the prerogative of the people who put the often very tedious and thankless work behind the scenes of making things happen for the paying public to turn up to.

I think my starting point here would be again to note that as charities these bodies benefit from different and favourable status in comparison to commercial organisations. As such they have a duty to act in their own best interests (charitable trustees owe fiduciary duties to their charities, similar to those company directors owe to shareholders). It begins to look rather incompatible with this status to cancel popular, lucrative (and a-political) events such as WW2 themed evenings, essentially on the basis of a hunch that people don’t want them or, worse (and what I strongly suspect), on the basis of the desire of their operators to jump on a virtue signalling bandwagon.

We are perhaps getting uncomfortably close to the situation where people aren’t allowed to talk about WW2 at all anymore “coz Churchill woz wacist”. That’s clearly not the viewpoint that is being advanced in relation to the Ukrainian situation, but it’s along the same lines.

As suggested up thread a more positive and beneficial approach might well have been to continue with the events, ensuring there are no aspects that can be in any way seen as glorifying war, and include a fundraising for victims of the Ukrainian situation. In fact that would piggyback logically off it - “this event evokes our memories of WW2, but Ukraine is a reminder that those wartime memories are lived realities for many people today, so please give generously” etc: (maybe I should work in marketing after all ).

No one is imposing a political viewpoint, unless the events have been banned by government or some other such body - they are just doing, or not doing, what they want to do, on their own property with their own resources.

Whatever their motives, they are undeniably removing the ability for those who might want to to attend such events at these railways. That they’re doing it of this own volition, rather than having it imposed from above, won’t make any difference as far as those individuals are concerned.

Ultimately it’s probably one to agree to disagree on. An interesting discussion, nonetheless.

 

[WesternLancer]

I think my starting point here would be again to note that as charities these bodies benefit from different and favourable status in comparison to commercial organisations. As such they have a duty to act in their own best interests (charitable trustees owe fiduciary duties to their charities, similar to those company directors owe to shareholders). It begins to look rather incompatible with this status to cancel popular, lucrative (and a-political) events such as WW2 themed evenings, essentially on the basis of a hunch that people don’t want them or, worse (and what I strongly suspect), on the basis of the desire of their operators to jump on a virtue signalling bandwagon.

Good points in your post. In reality - and within reason of course, charity trustees have an enormous amount of flexibility to do what they think is right - with little or no requirement to justify it to anyone. Not even any shareholders to vote them out in many or most cases.

We are perhaps getting uncomfortably close to the situation where people aren’t allowed to talk about WW2 at all anymore “coz Churchill woz wacist”. That’s clearly not the viewpoint that is being advanced in relation to the Ukrainian situation, but it’s along the same lines.

Unsurprisingly I'm going to disagree on that because we are not.

Actually I think there is another angle to it I have juts thought of - and that is the risk people might feel of being a bit of a laughing stock - along the lines of - 'look, this is the reality of war in Europe - happening now, but our response to that is to run and event, charge entry and make it into a day out'

Now whilst personally I think these events are a fair chunk about entertainment, they are also of value in provoking thought about it all - but I also think the people who get involved with them have great respect for the service men and women and civilians of the time and what they went through. I don't think they ignore that at all - but it may well be though that this isn't the moment for it, and I'm sympathetic to that - even tho I personally think these sorts of 1940s events can be very good.

 

[AlterEgo]

Noticed none of the organisers seems to have asked the public if they wanted it cancelled or not, it's a very popular event in spite of what's going on round the world, by cancelling the railways will be financially short, virtue signalling doesn't pay the bills.

Why is it so hard to understand that the people who are organising it simply don’t think it’s appropriate? If the volunteers who are going to dress up as soldiers and air raid wardens and spivs and Land Girls think it’s not something they feel comfortable doing, why are people so insistent they must continue to do it? Nobody here even suggested they were going to the events?

 

[35B]

Whatever their motives, they are undeniably removing the ability for those who might want to to attend such events at these railways. That they’re doing it of this own volition, rather than having it imposed from above, won’t make any difference as far as those individuals are concerned.

I'm uncomfortable with that line of argument, as it strays dangerously close to the suggestion that if there are people who want to attend a certain kind of event, there's a duty to provide it for them.

 

[WesternLancer]

I'm uncomfortable with that line of argument, as it strays dangerously close to the suggestion that if there are people who want to attend a certain kind of event, there's a duty to provide it for them.

Public hangings lets say (or maybe just re-enactments of them) - popular in their day, or so it would seem.

 

[stuu]

We are perhaps getting uncomfortably close to the situation where people aren’t allowed to talk about WW2 at all anymore “coz Churchill woz wacist”. That’s clearly not the viewpoint that is being advanced in relation to the Ukrainian situation, but it’s along the same lines.

We are absolutely not. Can you show one example of anyone who would be taken seriously making this point in any media? The whole concept of "cancel culture" seems to me a massive myth about how hard done by people on the right are that their views aren't taken as gospel. There are of course extremists on the left who take offence on peoples' behalf which is equally stupid, but there always have been people of that mindset. "Woke" seems to me the new "political correctness gone mad", which in the past was often used when something had been completely or wilfully misrepresented (see Birmingham City Council's Winterval as an example of this sort of nonsense). The fundamental concept of treating people with dignity and respect no matter their personal circumstances seems to have been lost

As to the topic in hand, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is very significantly different to other recent wars as there is the (distant) prospect of serious escalation, up to and beyond the use of nuclear weapons. That alone seems to me to make the prospect of war-themed weekends seem a lot less popular, as it is all so much more 'real'. The decision to cancel them, or not, is at least as much a commercial decision as a it is a moral one

 

[John Luxton]

Public hangings lets say (or maybe just re-enactments of them) - popular in their day, or so it would seem.

Well these might certainly prove popular if reintroduced. There are certain people being given D&BB for life courtesy of the tax payer who many would like to see swing.

I recall Bodmin and Wenford used to run special trains for hangings at Bodmin Gaol before they were transferred to inside the prison.

One could say many once popular events have now fallen for progressive liberal ideologies.

 

[Western Sunset]

One could say many once popular events have now fallen for progressive liberal ideologies.

Agree with you for once John.

 

[WesternLancer]

Agree with you for once John.

One could say many once popular events have now fallen for progressive liberal ideologies.

Yes, all those liberals that 'cancelled' gladiatorial contests, witch dunking, animal fighting etc etc.... they have been getting away with telling people what to do for nigh on 2000 years it seems. Shocking.

 

[stuu]

Well these might certainly prove popular if reintroduced. There are certain people being given D&BB for life courtesy of the tax payer who many would like to see swing.

I recall Bodmin and Wenford used to run special trains for hangings at Bodmin Gaol before they were transferred to inside the prison.

One could say many once popular events have now fallen for progressive liberal ideologies.

Yes, because the police have an unblemished record of always getting the right person

 

[yoyothehobo]

Well these might certainly prove popular if reintroduced. There are certain people being given D&BB for life courtesy of the tax payer who many would like to see swing.

I recall Bodmin and Wenford used to run special trains for hangings at Bodmin Gaol before they were transferred to inside the prison.

One could say many once popular events have now fallen for progressive liberal ideologies.

Name five popular events that have "fallen for progressive liberal ideologies".

 

[John Luxton]

Name five popular events that have "fallen for progressive liberal ideologies".

I will just come up with one I saw yesterday.

Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor has, like most rural pups, acted as gathering place for the local hunt.

They announced that after the local hunt invited the Beaufort Hunt to their meeting the pub has withdrawn its hospitality.

Now I am am neither pro nor anti hunt - but just see hunting as a typically British activity which adds to the rural scene.

It used to be a fun way for some to control vermin - but ended up being downgraded to drag hunting which one would have thought would have kept people happy.

But now "they" (read they as being those of liberal ideologies) seem determined to even stop drag hunting because the odd fox still gets killed.

I don't want to get involved in the pro/anti hunt argument as it isn't something that moves me one way or another - though as someone who enjoys photography well beyond railways I do recognise it as part of the British scene.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2022 ==

Yes, because the police have an unblemished record of always getting the right person

True there have been some mistakes - but some of the most notorious murders and terrorist atrocities there has been no doubt as to the guild of those involved. Lets just take the Wests of Cheltenham. At least Fred did the decent thing and saved the tax payer some cash. But I imagine many would quite happily still like to see his wife swing.

There are ways to safeguard against mistakes. One of the problems with the old execution system was I understand the sentence had to be carried out within three Sundays of conviction which is far too fast especially where there may be some doubt.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2022 ==

Yes, all those liberals that 'cancelled' gladiatorial contests, witch dunking, animal fighting etc etc.... they have been getting away with telling people what to do for nigh on 2000 years it seems. Shocking.

This is a bit silly isn't it?

But I think we can all identify changes in our lifetimes which have not always been for the better and have been as a result of excessive liberalism. Some might say it is nothing more than being progressive / moving with the times - but some things make me feel uncomfortable.

My views are somewhat conservative in nature though perhaps no longer politically so as I see the majority of the current Conservative party as being excessively liberal.

 

[yoyothehobo]

Pub is a private business, can do what it likes. If it feels like there are too many people there when the invite another hunt over and it becomes disruptive with their normal clients its up to them. Money talks at the end of the day.

There are ways to safeguard against mistakes. One of the problems with the old execution system was I understand the sentence had to be carried out within three Sundays of conviction which is far too fast especially where there may be some doubt.

Are there really? In the US, so many of the prisoners on death row are going through incredibly lengthy and costly appeals processes that actually makes the death sentence more expensive than life imprisonment (and this is a country where 1% of the male, adult population is incarcerated with incredible levels of racially and social disparity in sentences).

So we have one thing so far. A pub that has stopped the hunt from gathering there. (Regarding your comments about the hunt, the party that brought it in made it clear that was a policy and the general public backed that, or considered it such a minor thing that it was irrelevant.) Most of the time "excessive liberalism" is the phrase used by right wing people to cry when something they liked is banned or something they dislike is allowed.


Well, two if we include being able to hang people, which is totally acceptable if we give it more than 3 weeks after conviction.

 

[WesternLancer]

I will just come up with one I saw yesterday.

Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor has, like most rural pups, acted as gathering place for the local hunt.

They announced that after the local hunt invited the Beaufort Hunt to their meeting the pub has withdrawn its hospitality.

I doubt it is driven by liberal views on hunting - just like the 40s events - a commercially driven decision. Jamaica Inn markets itself as a tourist destination, I assume to make money from tourists / coach parties - they will have decided, I suspect, that those tourists are not as keen on hunting. Not ideology - just the power of money. Another case of it being their business to do with as they wish (a basic conservative principle IIRC). The hunt could make them an offer, buy the pub, change the policy.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2022 ==


True there have been some mistakes -

Although there was clearly a strong liberal argument in the 50s and 60s ref hanging - I understand that an increasing problem at the time was juries refusing to reach guilty verdicts in cases where the death sentence would result because they did not as individual jury members, want the hanging 'on their conscience' - so this was creating problems for the legal system. Not helped by the high profile cases where they 'got thew wrong man' or it was felt mitigating circs applied eg Ruth Ellis.
No doubt liberals claimed the victory in the abolition debate but I also suspect as with much in life, it was not that simple.

This is a bit silly isn't it?

But I think we can all identify changes in our lifetimes which have not always been for the better and have been as a result of excessive liberalism. Some might say it is nothing more than being progressive / moving with the times - but some things make me feel uncomfortable.

Well, I made the point to make a point - why stop at 'in our lifetime'? - your life time may be much longer than mine or vice versa - the world changes and things move on, as do attitudes - and the attitudes of those who govern - that is democracy after all. Who defines what is 'excessive'? Many things have changed in my life time due to market driven capitalism (like the withdrawal of defined benefit pensions for many employees, for example) - are those changes 'excessive' ? Some would say yes, some no - just an opinion I suppose, no more no less.

My views are somewhat conservative in nature though perhaps no longer politically so as I see the majority of the current Conservative party as being excessively liberal.

Conservative views and Conservative Party politics are of course not the same thing. I would assume the Conservative Party adopts the positions it does to get votes, so presumably they seek to reflect the views of a section of the public they want to vote for them / believe will vote for them. Other parties are out there to vote for.

 

[stuu]

My views are somewhat conservative in nature though perhaps no longer politically so as I see the majority of the current Conservative party as being excessively liberal.

You are, of course, entirely entitled to whatever political opinions you want, but I would suggest that if you view the current Conservatives as too liberal, at least 90% of the population is more liberal than you. Are they all wrong and you are right?

 

[John Luxton]

I doubt it is driven by liberal views on hunting - just like the 40s events - a commercially driven decision. Jamaica Inn markets itself as a tourist destination, I assume to make money from tourists / coach parties - they will have decided, I suspect, that those tourists are not as keen on hunting. Not ideology - just the power of money. Another case of it being their business to do with as they wish (a basic conservative principle IIRC). The hunt could make them an offer, buy the pub, change the policy.



Although there was clearly a strong liberal argument in the 50s and 60s ref hanging - I understand that an increasing problem at the time was juries refusing to reach guilty verdicts in cases where the death sentence would result because they did not as individual jury members, want the hanging 'on their conscience' - so this was creating problems for the legal system. Not helped by the high profile cases where they 'got thew wrong man' or it was felt mitigating circs applied eg Ruth Ellis.
No doubt liberals claimed the victory in the abolition debate but I also suspect as with much in life, it was not that simple.


Well, I made the point to make a point - why stop at 'in our lifetime'? - your life time may be much longer than mine or vice versa - the world changes and things move on, as do attitudes - and the attitudes of those who govern - that is democracy after all. Who defines what is 'excessive'? Many things have changed in my life time due to market driven capitalism (like the withdrawal of defined benefit pensions for many employees, for example) - are those changes 'excessive' ? Some would say yes, some no - just an opinion I suppose, no more no less.



Conservative views and Conservative Party politics are of course not the same thing. I would assume the Conservative Party adopts the positions it does to get votes, so presumably they seek to reflect the views of a section of the public they want to vote for them / believe will vote for them. Other parties are out there to vote for.

You say the power of money - but all I see at work here is a business guessing at what they think might be popular with the majority be it a one off hunt meeting or a 1940s railway event which enables them to appear to be doing what the public wants but also allows them to issue a press release for some free publicity. Yes there are probably some commercial decisions being made - but I don't think it is quite as simple.

There seems to be a lot of trying to second guess decisions these days what opinion might be expressed on social medial and trying to avoid a negative backlash there and ideally promote an image to those pressing the liberal agenda. Having fought a few battles over the last few years on SM over Covid strategy / Covid virtue signalling etc I am only too well aware of the so called liberal vox populii.

I would respect businesses more if they would stop doing things like this.

 

[yoyothehobo]

Wow. Its like right wing bingo here.

The LIBERAL AGENDA. COVID VIRTUE SIGNALLING! SO CALLED LIBERAL VOX POPULI!

Businesses dont care whether you respect them, they care whether you will spend money and at the end of the day.

The person running the business has made the decision what is best for their business with the experience of what their customers are

 

[WesternLancer]

You say the power of money - but all I see at work here is a business guessing at what they think might be popular with the majority be it a one off hunt meeting or a 1940s railway event which enables them to appear to be doing what the public wants but also allows them to issue a press release for some free publicity. Yes there are probably some commercial decisions being made - but I don't think it is quite as simple.

There seems to be a lot of trying to second guess decisions these days what opinion might be expressed on social medial and trying to avoid a negative backlash there and ideally promote an image to those pressing the liberal agenda. Having fought a few battles over the last few years on SM over Covid strategy / Covid virtue signalling etc I am only too well aware of the so called liberal vox populii.

I would respect businesses more if they would stop doing things like this.

But it's the job of business to guess this stuff so that they can make a profit (well strictly speaking avoid making a loss I suspect, since the loss has more impact on the business's - or charity in the case of a preserved railway, ultimate survival) - so to me that is the power of money. And if other businesses/preserved railways think that 1940s events are a decent way this year to make some funds - someone will do it.

All social media is, is the views of some of your potential customers - and any good business will weigh up the impact of that for plus or minus.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2022 ==

Wow. Its like right wing bingo here.

The LIBERAL AGENDA. COVID VIRTUE SIGNALLING! SO CALLED LIBERAL VOX POPULI!

Businesses dont care whether you respect them, they care whether you will spend money and at the end of the day.

The person running the business has made the decision what is best for their business with the experience of what their customers are

Yes, this thread is getting off topic I fear.

 

[yoyothehobo]

Just to bring us back around to topic.

The important thing is that if opinion is split on the matter of whether the event should go ahead, that is potential revenue down the pan on what are logistically difficult events to put on and with everything else going on at the moment, squeeze in the cost of living, high fuel prices and the still post Covid uncertainty then railways likely feel its just too risky financially to put on.

 

[Vespa]

Why is it so hard to understand that the people who are organising it simply don’t think it’s appropriate? If the volunteers who are going to dress up as soldiers and air raid wardens and spivs and Land Girls think it’s not something they feel comfortable doing, why are people so insistent they must continue to do it? Nobody here even suggested they were going to the events?

Or do you mean you don't agree with it and think everybody should follow in line with your opinion ?

The minority telling the majority what to think.

It's called woke and cancel culture.

 

[Western Sunset]

Or do you mean you don't agree with it and think everybody should follow in line with your opinion ?

The minority telling the majority what to think.

It's called woke and cancel culture.

Rather like Brexit...

 

[AlterEgo]

Or do you mean you don't agree with it and think everybody should follow in line with your opinion ?

The minority telling the majority what to think.

It's called woke and cancel culture.

But as I have repeated, it is not my opinion that the events should be cancelled. In fact, as I have made efforts to tell you already by direct reply, I don't really personally think war in Ukraine is necessarily different to anywhere else.

I personally wouldn't go to a 1940s weekend and I don't care if they go ahead or not, but I do support volunteers who decide whether or not to go ahead with something they themselves fear may not strike the right note. if they carry on with it? Great. Want to cancel it because you don't feel it's right? Fine, too.

Nobody is telling these charities not to stage the events. Nobody! Why are you all so worried about "cancel culture"?

I think people who are criticising these charities for not going ahead with an event they don't feel comfortable with are looking quite ridiculous and insecure and it is reflecting badly on adults who ought to know better.

 

[Vespa]

But as I have repeated, it is not my opinion that the events should be cancelled. In fact, as I have made efforts to tell you already by direct reply, I don't really personally think war in Ukraine is necessarily different to anywhere else.

I personally wouldn't go to a 1940s weekend and I don't care if they go ahead or not, but I do support volunteers who decide whether or not to go ahead with something they themselves fear may not strike the right note. if they carry on with it? Great. Want to cancel it because you don't feel it's right? Fine, too.

Nobody is telling these charities not to stage the events. Nobody! Why are you all so worried about "cancel culture"?

I think people who are criticising these charities for not going ahead with an event they don't feel comfortable with are looking quite ridiculous and insecure and it is reflecting badly on adults who ought to know better.

It seems to be thing now with cancel culture nowadays and fear of offending, if charities wants to virtue signal at a financial loss to themselves, that's politicising the event instead of it being pure nostalgia within the USP of a heritage organisation without asking the public if that's what they want, instead they assumed and presumed.

Noticed during the Yugoslavia civil war I don't recall any historic rail based organisation having cancelled any WW2 type events.