Small Beer?

[Wynonie Harris]

July 1st, 1916, centenary of the Battle of the Somme where so many Pals lost their lives.

If you want to contribute to the fund, buy some Pals Ale, mate. It's crackin' stuff and you'll be helping a good cause!

 

[Barrie Yates]

Singleton's Cheese are doing something similar. Bought a pack at the weekend of their "Lancashire Pals Cheese" - Tesco or Asda. A picture of one of the Pals on the package with his details, I don't know how many Pals are going to figure in this way. They are donating 5p to SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors & Air Force Association), for every packet sold - a very worthwhile charity for all serving and retired servicemen and their families.

 

[Retlaw]

So is this beer being given away then...not being sold?
I did not mean that Caths input was commercial, just that the sale of beer is not appropriate to commemorate this brave band of men.

I appreciate that funding is required for events to take place and all power to Caths elbow in doing what she can to raise the public profile.
As for the work you are doing, well it is invaluable and you are to be commended for your efforts.....I really think that you are a star for doing everything you can to keep the flame of their memories alive...we should never forget these men.
Having said that........

I don't think the comments were snide and they definitely were not opinions.....it was a valid question being asked.
I think that offence was taken when none was meant...and it really isn't necessary.

You need not rant because you are speaking to the converted.

A Eck Margaret.
Our Cath came up with this idea to generate funds for the July 1st 2016 commemorations, how the heck can she give it away. No body on that committee, thats supposed to be organising these up coming events has come up with any thing better, and she's now sold a heck of a lot, to keep the interest alive she keeps changing the labels one of them has Bill Turners picture on it, he was'nt a Pal, but without Bill Turners work Accrington would be in deep doodoo next year, all this effort has put Accrington on the World Map. The Accrington Pals were mentioned in a debate in the house of commons, I was sent the pages from Hansard.
We can only try, what else can we do, Cath is open to suggestions.
If any one wants to help they are welcome, just buy the PALS Ale.
The Centenary events in 2014 were for the outbreak of the war in Agust 1914, and when the Pals Battalions were raised.

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

Retlaw, that is exactly what I thought.....it is a commercial venture.....the Pals soldiers names are being used as an advertising ploy.
Of course I knew that they were not giving the beer away.....I'm not as daft as I am cabbage looking.
So the battles of these men have been hijacked to make money for a brewer.
They might be giving a donation but to me it devalues the actions of the men who lost their lives....just my personal opinion......and there are other opinions out there to be had.

 

[Less]

Margaret.
What got me was his post about the Pals Ales. If it had been anyone else in the Observer other than Grahm Jones nothing would have been said, he just can't resist having a dig.
One thing your wrong about, it is Not a Commercial venture, our Cath is trying to raise funds for the Pals commemoration for July 1st 1916.
There are some events going to take place in Accrington on that date which there is no other way to get funding, she's tried various funding organistations but they are not interested in much outside the Southern Counties. I am also tring to get new panels made for Accrington's War Memorial, there are 14 men named twice, 18 spelling mistake 2 men who did not die, and 9 Accrington Pals missing.
I have also created two books in memory of Bill Turner listing all the Pals Casualties July 1/5th 1916, the numbers bandied about on web sites are miles out, even the Battalion War diaries are wrong. These books are at present with a bookbinder and will be presented to the Mayors of Bapaume & Puisuex on July 1st 2016. All this has come out of my pocket, it hasn't cost the people of Acc anything. I sometimes wonder why I ever bothered to start all this work, when some one who should know better starts making snide comments, no matter how much they deny it. I know he's entitled to his opinions I just wish he would keep them to himself.

Rant over for now.

How pathetic, millions of men have died so that we can speak freely.
I spoke freely, you seem to be protesting against that freedom in favour of a commercial publicity stunt just because it involves your daughter.
The pals and all others involved in this conflict died to allow me to speak freely, not so that their memory would be exploited 100 years later in a cheap promotion for 'small beer'.

If you feel slighted by my comments that is your problem not mine, I didn't start the thread to have a dig at anyone but you seem to have taken it to heart and are trying to blame me, AccyWeb and anyone that may show an inclination to agreeing with my comments, which thanks to the very same sacrifices of those brave men you are entitled to do, I however do not need or desire their memory to be used in some commercial publicity stunt. Death made them equal and equal is how I will remember all the fallen.

 

[Neil]

Why the negativity about beer and soldiers? I'm sure almost all of them would have enjoyed a beer so whats the problem.

It's a fund raiser, those who don't like the fact it's beer but would like to help with the fund raising can walk up to Cath at the food festival or the other many places places she sells it and just give her the money without taking the beer?

I don't care who they stick on the bottles but if our MP's great grand father creates free publicity and more sales then it was a good idea.

 

[Less]

These books are at present with a bookbinder and will be presented to the Mayors of Bapaume & Puisuex on July 1st 2016. All this has come out of my pocket, it hasn't cost the people of Acc anything. I sometimes wonder why I ever bothered to start all this work,

I admire your work.

I don't give a stuff what you think of me when you imagine a slight, however if you would care to call in to the Railway at some time I am more than willing to give you £100 towards the expenses you have had with your project.

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

Why the negativity about beer and soldiers? I'm sure almost all of them would have enjoyed a beer so whats the problem.

It's a fund raiser, those who don't like the fact it's beer but would like to help with the fund raising can walk up to Cath at the food festival or the other many places places she sells it and just give her the money without taking the beer?

I don't care who they stick on the bottles but if our MP's great grand father creates free publicity and more sales then it was a good idea.

Neil it is commerce masquerading as charity support.
I am also sure that these soldiers would have enjoyed a beer (or two) that does not mean that they would like their deeds to be used for commercial ends...to make a fat profit for the brewers.

 

[DtheP47]

According to the Observer article:
"Another Accrington Pals beer named ‘Lest We Forget’ will also go on sale at the Strangers Bar at Westminster between June 30 and July 5"

Resisting the obvious punning of the name.
We can all raise a glass of this brew in unison to those unfortunate souls without fear, favour, controversy and upset.

 

[Neil]

Neil it is commerce masquerading as charity support.
I am also sure that these soldiers would have enjoyed a beer (or two) that does not mean that they would like their deeds to be used for commercial ends...to make a fat profit for the brewers.

No masquerading at all. The brewery were approached, more than one if I remember correctly, they brew the beer which they don't do obviously for free and it is sold with all profits going in the pot for the event.

You don't complain about the poppy appeal being commerce masquerading as charity support

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

But is the poppy appeal business masquerading as charity?
Doesn't more of that money go to those it is supposed to help?
I just think it is a cynical advertising ploy.....Now whether that is just my anti cynicism pills wearing off, I'm not sure.
I don't drink beer, but I would give a donation if say there was a stall in the market hall that had a collection box and perhaps some information about the young men who lost their lives.....heaven knows that should be possible to organise.

 

[cashman]

The way i see this, is all soldiers were equal no doubt at all, Any business producing anything expects not to lose money, no doubt yon either, The fact that our MPs grandad is on the bottle, with him being a public figure who all are aware of, no doubt yon either, Then its more likely to produce "More" revenue for the cause, than if it was my grandad, damn sure thats fact also. I also don't grasp how anyone can't see this?

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

It will also produce more revenue for the brewer....and the government in duty.

 

[Michael1954]

I don't drink beer, but I would give a donation if say there was a stall in the market hall that had a collection box and perhaps some information about the young men who lost their lives.....heaven knows that should be possible to organise.

You could offer your services to Retlaw's daughter and organise it yourself.

 

[gpick24]

I don`t understand the arguement about the brewery, OK you don`t drink beer so what if it was something you did use? What if it was something like washing up liquid? You go to your usual shop, and in there they sell two brands, both equally good at doing their job but one is donating all it`s profits to a good cause (obviously taking out production costs and wages etc.) the other is keeping all the profits to itself, which would you buy?

 

[Eric]

If you want to contribute to the fund, buy some Pals Ale, mate. It's crackin' stuff and you'll be helping a good cause!

Amen to that, brother.

I doubt very much that I'll be able to get it over here. But on the first of July, I'll hoist a few to the memory of my grandad, who fought on the Somme.

Come to think of it ... and this shouldn't get lost in the noise of petty bickering ... this year is it for the big commemorations. In 2116, if humans are still around on this [deleted]ed up planet of ours, the Somme will be ancient history. All power to Retlaw and those like him who work so diligently to make sure that that history is accurate. There are fewer and fewer of us left who actually knew men who fought on that day, in whatever regiment.

 

[Wynonie Harris]

Don't understand where you're coming from, Margaret. You say it's a "masquerade" but as far as I can see, those involved in the project have been totally upfront about it - ie, the profits from the sale of the beer will be used for the 2016 commemorations. Secondly, you say that "the battles of these brave men have been hijacked to make money for a brewer". How can it make money for the brewer, if the profits are going to a good cause?

 

[Neil]

The way i see this, is all soldiers were equal no doubt at all, Any business producing anything expects not to lose money, no doubt yon either, The fact that our MPs grandad is on the bottle, with him being a public figure who all are aware of, no doubt yon either, Then its more likely to produce "More" revenue for the cause, than if it was my grandad, damn sure thats fact also. I also don't grasp how anyone can't see this?

Isn't that good then? The whole idea is to make money for the commemoration event and if this advertising works then well done to all involved. The label design isn't chosen by the brewery.

 

[Retlaw]

Amen to that, brother.

I doubt very much that I'll be able to get it over here. But on the first of July, I'll hoist a few to the memory of my grandad, who fought on the Somme.

Come to think of it ... and this shouldn't get lost in the noise of petty bickering ... this year is it for the big commemorations. In 2116, if humans are still around on this [deleted]ed up planet of ours, the Somme will be ancient history. All power to Retlaw and those like him who work so diligently to make sure that that history is accurate. There are fewer and fewer of us left who actually knew men who fought on that day, in whatever regiment.

Well said Eric I knew a lot of ex WW1 Heroes when I was growing up, when we were at that age all our non relatives were referred to as Aunt or Uncle, and because 2 of my real uncles had fought in WW1 and were well known, I had a lot of pretend uncles, they always rubbed top o me head, and say to my dad, he's the dead spit of your Walter.
Like you I don't think there'l much going on in 2116, the human race will have been wiped out,, or become muslims. I'm teetotal, So raise a glass a glass or two to my Uncle Sam & Uncle Walter & the 226 Greater Accrington Lads who didn't make it through the battle of the Somme July 1/5th 1916.

 

[Hill Walker]

Slightly off topic I'm afraid but as the underlying theme of this thread is the commemoration and remembrance of those who took part in WW1 I feel justified in mentioning here this relatively recent initiative by the Imperial War Museum.

https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/

In brief it is an attempt to record as much as possible of ALL who took part, an immense task but they have made a good start with over 7.5 million already listed. Over and above the obvious listing of obvious data (name, rank, unit etc) it is possible to add details of the person's life and also to positively record your remembrance of the person.

I'm mentioning this simply because as yet this project does not seem to be well known, possibly because the IWM wanted a head start to get a substantial amount of data added from the official records in order to get the ball rolling.