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Anne Frank display has special meaning for council leader

South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove and Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh at the Anne Frank exhibition South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove and Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh at the Anne Frank exhibition

FOR Swindon Council leader Rod Bluh, yesterday’s official opening of the Anne Frank + You exhibition at the Central Library had a very special meaning.

While Rod’s father was able to escape Vienna by fleeing to London at the start of the Second World War, he left behind his grandmother and uncle who both perished at the hands of the Nazis.

Rod believes his grandmother was transported to Minsk, in what is now Belarus, and shot in a forest along with other Jews before being buried in mass graves.

His 14-year-old uncle, who was mentally disabled, was used by the Nazis as part of their human experimentation programme, and later died in a gas chamber.

Rod, along with South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove, Swindon mayor Steve Wakefield, and Dr Mike Pringle, director of the Swindon Cultural Partnership, were among the prime movers to bring the Anne Frank exhibition to the town.

“I think everyone can learn from the Anne Frank story,” said Rod.

“I don’t believe when Anne wrote her diaries that she could have possibly imagined the effect it would have on millions of people.”

He added: “With the Holocaust you never forget it, it will always live with me. This was the blackest period in human history and we need to learn from it. We have to make sure that something like this never happen again.”

The chilling story of Anne, who together with her family sought sanctuary in the upper floors of an Amsterdam house during the Nazi occupation of Holland, is told through an absorbing exhibition.

It not only deals with the diary and Anne’s writings, but looks to wider issues such as racial hatred, war and conflict.

Mrs Snelgrove revealed that talks to bring the exhibition to Swindon took place a while ago when she was having dinner with the chairman of the Anne Frank charity in this country.

“She started telling me about the profound effect the exhibit was having on the community wherever it went,” she said.

“This exhibition brings the Anne Frank story up to date and allows us to think about the terrible things which did happen in the past and asks us what lessons can be learnt, in particular of our society.

“We only have to look around the world today. Problems like this start off very small, like in Nazi Germany, and which are then exploited. I can only commend the council for bringing this important exhibition to Swindon.”

The Anne Frank exhibition, which is free and is hosted at the Central Library in Regent Circus until April 29, is part of the Think Swindon initiative which features a range of cultural events in the town during the month.

For more details of other events taking place as part of Think Swindon log onto www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk or www.thinkswindon.org.

Comments(33)

IRofE says...
10:14am Fri 3 Apr 09

What lessons can be learnt from this exhibition?
Probably that Labour have destroyed Britain more surely than Nazi Germany would have done should Britain had been invaded!

Donkey says...
10:49am Fri 3 Apr 09

Think that's humorous, 'ey? There's a time and a place.

Janais is back says...
10:51am Fri 3 Apr 09

The Lesson learned? - That it is sad and regrettable that so many brave men gave their lives in the belief they were making their homelands a safe place in which to live - but that was what was expected of them back in those days, I really cannot believe it would be the same if it happened now - they would run out of white feathers.

Atrocities aside - it would have been interesting to see what a Nazi England would have been like - Would the low life and other criminals have been allowed to flourish?

IRofE says...
11:11am Fri 3 Apr 09

Janais is back wrote:
The Lesson learned? - That it is sad and regrettable that so many brave men gave their lives in the belief they were making their homelands a safe place in which to live - but that was what was expected of them back in those days, I really cannot believe it would be the same if it happened now - they would run out of white feathers. Atrocities aside - it would have been interesting to see what a Nazi England would have been like - Would the low life and other criminals have been allowed to flourish?
Interesting...
Nazi England or Labour England what is the difference?

IRofE says...
11:13am Fri 3 Apr 09

Donkey wrote:
Think that's humorous, 'ey? There's a time and a place.
your political correctness is touching, however I persist and sign, I stand by my comments and no I won't retract nor apologise for exercising my FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

Jock Strap says...
11:20am Fri 3 Apr 09

Donkey wrote:
Think that's humorous, 'ey? There's a time and a place.
Agreed Donkey 100%.

Janais - a Nazi ruled England would not have been interesting - the low life vermin would have been shot - ok that might have been a plus -but if you were anything other than non Jewish - white Ayrian background and origin you would have also been shot -thus Hitler's vision of global domination would have wiped out all other non white creeds in the world -and robbed the world of insirational people like Mandela, Muhammed Ali, Tutu, Martin Luther King etc, and more recently Obama who is still to prove himself of course. Then there are all the fantastic coloured athletes we have marveled at over the years - starting with Jesse Owens who of course Hitler despised at the 1936 Olympics because a black man had the temerity to win 4 gold medals while the so called white supremacy athletes trailed in his wake. You keep on wondering if you like Janais - I personally don't wish to contemplate that scenario at all.Anne Frank & Violette Szabo were two of many heroes and heroines who through their courage helped to thwart Hitler's dreams of world domination. Such courage should be recognised and reflected in school history lessons to show the youth of today what values these people gave their lives for.

Jock Strap says...
11:26am Fri 3 Apr 09

IRofE wrote:
Donkey wrote: Think that's humorous, 'ey? There's a time and a place.
your political correctness is touching, however I persist and sign, I stand by my comments and no I won't retract nor apologise for exercising my FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
Which of course YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HAD IF ADOLF HAD BEEN IN CHARGE!! - you see we can all use the caps lock! Granted, Labour in my opinion, haven't exactly excelled but your comparison comment as Donkey observed was, freedom of speech or not, crass in the extreme.

Berry.Basset says...
11:36am Fri 3 Apr 09

Hi all! Did you miss me?

I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver.

If you dont post want they want you to, they will remove it as they had done to me countless times and then suspended me for no reason - it makes me sick.

Janais is back says...
11:38am Fri 3 Apr 09

Right, who can I wind up next then?

DrGonzo-09 says...
11:40am Fri 3 Apr 09

Just because we have the freedom of speech please don't feel you have to use it everyday.
Making crass statements intended to draw a reaction isn't exactly why freedom of speech is regarded as such a luxury among those who do not have it.

IRofE says...
11:40am Fri 3 Apr 09

Jock Strap wrote:
IRofE wrote:
Donkey wrote: Think that's humorous, 'ey? There's a time and a place.
your political correctness is touching, however I persist and sign, I stand by my comments and no I won't retract nor apologise for exercising my FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
Which of course YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HAD IF ADOLF HAD BEEN IN CHARGE!! - you see we can all use the caps lock! Granted, Labour in my opinion, haven't exactly excelled but your comparison comment as Donkey observed was, freedom of speech or not, crass in the extreme.
your endoctrinement is clear and your lack of historical knowledge pathetic.
For 1, Hitler wanted cooperation with England, only Churchill refusal led to the Battle of England
for second: the fate of an "invaded" England would have been disastrous for the Ethnics, however as demonstrated in the Channel Islands, the locals enjoyed a relatively good war time.
At the risk of being branded a racist, I think that Labour favours the ethnics and this exhibition is just another part of their propaganda to make us WASPS feel bad.
This sort of propangada was rife in post war Germany, but has so far stopped, in Britain it started in 1997!!!
I have however always wondered why?

IRofE says...
11:46am Fri 3 Apr 09

DrGonzo-09 wrote:
Just because we have the freedom of speech please don't feel you have to use it everyday. Making crass statements intended to draw a reaction isn't exactly why freedom of speech is regarded as such a luxury among those who do not have it.
I dont drink the daily Labour beverage, so excuse me for still having a critical mind and the presence of esprit to see clearly how they are transforming this country into a multicultural aberration.
If you want to learn something: it is not people in the ghettos in attics/basements than destroyed Nazism.
Ask your grandparents!

Jock Strap says...
11:51am Fri 3 Apr 09

Don't be so naive if you think Herr Schickelgruber would have co-operated with Winston once he'd got his hands on these shores you are sadly deluded -which from some of your other posts I've long suspected! and what on earth are you on about re "your endoctrinement is clear" ? Lol - security word "soft-mass" how very appropriate!

Jock Strap says...
11:53am Fri 3 Apr 09

Berry.Basset wrote:
Hi all! Did you miss me? I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver. If you dont post want they want you to, they will remove it as they had done to me countless times and then suspended me for no reason - it makes me sick.
You'd be far from being the first to fall foul of the Adver Taliban! Did you query why and did they respond?

IRofE says...
11:54am Fri 3 Apr 09

Jock Strap wrote:
Don't be so naive if you think Herr Schickelgruber would have co-operated with Winston once he'd got his hands on these shores you are sadly deluded -which from some of your other posts I've long suspected! and what on earth are you on about re "your endoctrinement is clear" ? Lol - security word "soft-mass" how very appropriate!
why was Rudolf Hess sent to England?
Why was he left to die in Prison?
why was he never allowed to speak during his captivity?
rather than make assumptions on my state of mind, just start asking yourself some serious questions about how your beloved Elite is making you believe!!!!!!!!!!

trustnopolitician says...
12:02pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Who funded this exhibition ?
What did it cost ?

Al Smith says...
12:06pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Berry.Basset wrote:
Hi all! Did you miss me?

I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver.

If you dont post want they want you to, they will remove it as they had done to me countless times and then suspended me for no reason - it makes me sick.
You (and everyone else who goes on about 'freedom of speech') forget that the Adver is privately not publicly owned. Therefore NO right to freedom of speech (or expression) exists here.

To quote article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (the important bit is in CAPS):
(1) Everyone has the right of freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas WITHOUT INTERENCE BY PUBLIC AUTHORITY and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.

(2) The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

IRofE says...
12:15pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Al Smith wrote:
Berry.Basset wrote: Hi all! Did you miss me? I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver. If you dont post want they want you to, they will remove it as they had done to me countless times and then suspended me for no reason - it makes me sick.
You (and everyone else who goes on about 'freedom of speech') forget that the Adver is privately not publicly owned. Therefore NO right to freedom of speech (or expression) exists here. To quote article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (the important bit is in CAPS): (1) Everyone has the right of freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas WITHOUT INTERENCE BY PUBLIC AUTHORITY and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises. (2) The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
Here comes the Human Rights:-)

DrGonzo-09 says...
12:29pm Fri 3 Apr 09

IRofE wrote:
DrGonzo-09 wrote: Just because we have the freedom of speech please don't feel you have to use it everyday. Making crass statements intended to draw a reaction isn't exactly why freedom of speech is regarded as such a luxury among those who do not have it.
I dont drink the daily Labour beverage, so excuse me for still having a critical mind and the presence of esprit to see clearly how they are transforming this country into a multicultural aberration. If you want to learn something: it is not people in the ghettos in attics/basements than destroyed Nazism. Ask your grandparents!
Ask your Grandparents!!!! Your condescension knows no limits. I don't "drink the Labour beverage" either but a lot more people are responsible for the state of this country, it's not all down to the Mssr Blair/Brown.


Berry.Basset says...
12:35pm Fri 3 Apr 09

IRofE wrote:
Al Smith wrote:
Berry.Basset wrote: Hi all! Did you miss me? I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver. If you dont post want they want you to, they will remove it as they had done to me countless times and then suspended me for no reason - it makes me sick.
You (and everyone else who goes on about 'freedom of speech') forget that the Adver is privately not publicly owned. Therefore NO right to freedom of speech (or expression) exists here. To quote article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (the important bit is in CAPS): (1) Everyone has the right of freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas WITHOUT INTERENCE BY PUBLIC AUTHORITY and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises. (2) The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
Here comes the Human Rights:-)
Lol - I didn't even bother reading what he said. That guy Al Smith normally writes drivel.

I know where he can shove his human rights!

Janais is back says...
1:10pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Some of my thoughts seem to get others a wee bit wound up so I am not sure if this paper likes or dislikes me!

I do know that this paper cannot tolerate any critism whatsoever - they even protect poor ole intrepid reporter Reggie by simply removing the comment aspect to some of his reports - even after people have taken the time & trouble to respond.

Have to say though that some of the personal sniping here is a bit childish - but this is small town Swindon I guess!

Al Smith says...
1:24pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Berry.Basset, Wotton Bassett - well you're the one who raised the issue of the Adver violating your right to freedom of speech.

To quote your post "I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver."

Well you have NO right to freedom of speech here.

At least the drivel I write doesn't get me banned!

Berry.Basset says...
1:44pm Fri 3 Apr 09

“At least the drivel I write doesn't get me banned!” Yes, because you write what the Adver wants. Your views are always brown nosing the Adver.

The only part of your comment I agree with is where you admit you write drivel. At least I have my own mind and my own views weather people agree or not. I’m sure people would rather read my comments than yours – they are like reading a Victor Meldrew blog.

I have EVERY right to post my comments on here and if you don’t like it, I don’t care!

IRofE says...
2:20pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Al Smith wrote:
Berry.Basset, Wotton Bassett - well you're the one who raised the issue of the Adver violating your right to freedom of speech. To quote your post "I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver." Well you have NO right to freedom of speech here. At least the drivel I write doesn't get me banned!
In your world of leftwing non-sense, the attic/ghetto fighters won the war and are the ones we should be learning from.
Well in my world, that tends towards the right, we assumed that war were won by soldiers doing their duties and that we should be learning from heroes, their courage & sacrifices.
I have empathy for victims, but I rather glorify the fighters!
But then again, you building a Nanny State so we can only be at antipodes!

Donkey says...
3:54pm Fri 3 Apr 09

'Nanny State' is a bit of an odd term to use now. Let's face it, if the Labour Government had 'nanniised' (over-regulated) the finance industry as the Tories, in retropect, seem to imagine would have been the correct way forward, then presumably nobody would have over-borrowed money that they cannot repay?

The argument is lost ... money was available to borrow and the ones who got the world into this mess are the incompetent borrowers who are truly to blame for this predicament.

Governments can only do so much, it's down to the individuals and their 'gotta have' lifestyles!

Al Smith says...
4:32pm Fri 3 Apr 09

IRofE wrote:
Al Smith wrote:
Berry.Basset, Wotton Bassett - well you're the one who raised the issue of the Adver violating your right to freedom of speech. To quote your post "I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver." Well you have NO right to freedom of speech here. At least the drivel I write doesn't get me banned!
In your world of leftwing non-sense, the attic/ghetto fighters won the war and are the ones we should be learning from.
Well in my world, that tends towards the right, we assumed that war were won by soldiers doing their duties and that we should be learning from heroes, their courage & sacrifices.
I have empathy for victims, but I rather glorify the fighters!
But then again, you building a Nanny State so we can only be at antipodes!
What on earth is going with this place?

I point out the fact that there is in law no guarantee of freedom of speech on this website (where people time and time and complain about the Adver denying their right to freedom of speech).

What do I get? A mindless stream of abuse. Why?

How is pointing out a fact leftwing or building a nanny state? Shouldn't perhaps the ire be aimed at our leaders?

If pointing out facts makes me leftwing and attacking people for pointing out facts makes me rightwing then I'll change my name to Karl Marx. Actually perhaps Harpo Marx as that fits in with some of the crackpots this place seems to attract nowadays.

I can see why some of the posters who were capable of a good reasoned debate no longer spend much time here...


Jock Strap says...
4:43pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Good to see the trend on here to go off topic is alive and well on this segment of the postings!

Bobby Bee says...
5:11pm Fri 3 Apr 09

I have seen the exhibition in Jerusalem, entitled,"Remember".

This will have the same effect.

Bobby Bee says...
6:52pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Berry.Basset wrote:
Hi all! Did you miss me? I had my account suspended because I wasnt allowed my right of free speech by the Adver. If you dont post want they want you to, they will remove it as they had done to me countless times and then suspended me for no reason - it makes me sick.
Why are you back again then?

Presumablyyou wereabusive or malicious or wrote something "false"...lalthough what that is is open to discussion.

Jock Strap says...
7:23pm Fri 3 Apr 09

Bobby Bee - I can assure you you dont have to say anything much to get your marching orders! The censorship at times is laughable Adver can say P0rn in an article but you cant use on here and dam with an N on is also banned! However the vulgar expression arse -is OK!!

I Too says...
10:38pm Fri 3 Apr 09

IRofE wrote

Hitler wanted cooperation with England, only Churchill refusal led to the Battle of England
for second: the fate of an "invaded" England would have been disastrous for the Ethnics, however as demonstrated in the Channel Islands, the locals enjoyed a relatively good war time.


The Channel Islanders did NOT enjoy a "relatively good war time".
Their lives were turned upside down by bullying, by drunken nazis, forcing entry to their homes, to avoid punishment for returning to base in such a state. The Guernsey police force were framed, and the resident jews were deported and killed.

Chrisg46 says...
12:12am Tue 7 Apr 09

Hmm, is Labour UK similar to Nazi germany? Not even slightly. Unless we do have a secret police using torture against dissidents, a ministry for propaganda, death camps and a pressing need for lebensraum. Another difference is elections, i beleive Hitler abolished them in Germany after coming to power. We still have them, and are due one in the next year or so.. Use your vote wisely.

Mavis says...
1:37pm Tue 7 Apr 09

IRofE would probably be happy goosestepping through Regent Circus. If he and the rest of the slack jawed idiot yokels that spout the same drivel would stop and actualy think about what this exhibition is representing.....

but I won't hold my breath

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