Posted by
julieadmin
on Friday, June 15 @ 21:01:10 BST
Museum Relics (the sequal)
bradleysmum writes: " Press Release From Allen & Endal
Fulfilling their commitment to support the Imperial War museum's animals of war exhibition, in which their story is being shared, the intrepid duo Endal and Allen Parton flew "up North" to help launch the Exhibition which had transferred from London to Manchester's Imperial Museum
"Travelling on a bank holiday weekend was not one of my best laid plan" said Allen "having failed dismally in booking a train space for Dog and Wheelchair on the any networks going that way, our only choice was to fly and the only viable option left. Heathrow and Gatwick flights were fully booked but our regional airport at Southampton had a availability on most of their flights. I have tended to use the bigger airports because I can enter the aircraft safely via the pier with Endal and in my own wheelchair, a quick transfer straight in to the aircraft seat. Southampton was going to be altogether different as the aircraft is parked out on the airfield and there are steps etc to navigate.
On our arrival at Southampton airport terminal, we were taken straight to the front of the checking queue and quickly booked in, this allows time for a comfort break for Endal prior to going through security. I am sure the security staff were just using the security check as a way to pet and fuss Endal, who lapped up all the attention. The advantage about using a small local airport is that one only has to check in 45 minutes before the flight takes off, hence more comfortable for assistance dogs between breaks....we were learning all the time.
One of the rules about taking assistance dogs into aircraft cabins is that they must wear a flight harness which secures them safely to the seat. We were quickly called to the gate and taken on to the airfield. The rows of aircrafts with engines whining and the smell of aviation fuel is enough to spook any dog and I was grateful Endal was wearing his special harness (no mischievous slipping of his collar) but I need not have worried as he bounced along the airfield with out a care in the world, in fact he was happy to jump on any plane regardless of where it was going. The next operation is quite horrendous as we were both to be lifted up to a lift van on a small tailgate hoist, barely enough room for my wheelchair, but with Endal as well, a bit more risky than I was comfortable with. So I asked one of the stewardesses whether Endal could go up the aircraft steps with them. I think there was nearly a fight between the crew to be the one to take Endal on the plane...weird! Ten minutes later I was sat next to Endal who had grabbed most of the space for himself and we settled down for an uneventful flight to Manchester. Big yellow sure is clocking up his air miles, this being his fiftieth flight. Endal by this stage looked like he had been bludgeoned, his head stained with red lipstick kisses from the stewardesses, trust me nothing but nothing gets rid of stain.
Allen said "I will admit that Endal's celebrity status is wonderful, especially when it comes to travelling. The kindness shown to us both is really humbling at times, I can't thank everyone enough for making our journey to Manchester so effortless. Endal still manages to look every part the seasoned traveller, even at 32,000ft. He even has his own complementary sandwich and water (the rest of us mere mortals have to pay for ours!!!)
We arrived at Manchester on time and disembarked without problem and was through to our waiting taxi within 30 minutes, a quick visit to the bushes for Endal and off we went to the IWM Museum. On arrival we were interviewed by the BBC Manchester, Endal stealing all the limelight by playing around during the filming. He never lets me forget who the real star is in this partnership. Media commitments met we retired to our hotel at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, fair bit of grass for my loyal chum but that's another story.
Saturday morning very early we arrived at the museum for the official opening of the exhibition, designed to be a family fun day, which was such a great success. Outside there were displays of flyball and canine agility, also in attendance regimental ferrets, sniffer dogs and a falconry display. Renown TV vet Steve Leonard did the official opening bit and then the invited dignitaries and guests were given private tours in the morning. More interviews for Endal with Granada TV and the local news papers and then eventually we became part of the exhibition tour in the afternoon to the public. The children were so delighted to see a real live dog in the exhibition and witness first hand what Endal can do to enable me every day since my injury in the Gulf War. It was so nice to meet up with our friends from the kennel Club, CEO Rosemary Smart accompanied by a delegation from the KC and John Stirling Chairman of Pet Partners insurance both principle sponsors of the Manchester exhibition.
There was quite a poignant display on in parallel the Falklands war exhibition commemorating 25 years since the war of which Allen was a veteran. It only seems like it happened yesterday said Allen, the memories still so vivid and clear. Reports of ships hit, ships lost and as this was more of a naval war in the beginning so there were many Naval comrades lost too. The exhibition was perfect and gave such dignity to the memory of those that never returned home.
Special Exhibitions Gallery, 26 May 2007 – January 2008. ADMISSION FREE.
This major family exhibition explores the remarkable role of animals in conflict from the First World War to the present day using hands-on interactives, photographs, film and sound clips, paintings, touchable sculptures, and memorabilia from the Imperial War Museum collections and private and public lenders from all over the world. The Animals’ War is sponsored by the Kennel Club and PetPartners plc.
Follow the family-friendly A-Z of stories to explore the intriguing and often surprising stories of animals in war. Get hands-on designing your own dog with the Kennel Club’s interactive computer game and see just how much a camel can carry in times of war. Discover how some animals have a remarkable sense of smell and see if you are brave enough to sniff out a few smells yourself. Play the most exciting game of snakes and ladders you’ll ever come across, measure yourself up to a camel and meet our very own life-size elephant.
Among the working animals whose stories are included in the exhibition are Winkie, the pigeon who saved the lived of a ditched aircrew by carrying a vital message revealing their location; Sefton, the cavalry horse who survived the Hyde Park terrorist bombing by the IRA; Endal, the assistance dog who helped to rehabilitate a badly-injured Gulf War veteran; and Roselle, the Labrador who led her blind owner to safety from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center after it was attacked on 11 September 2001.
Animals of many kinds from dogs and cats, to lions and eagles have also been adopted officially and unofficially as pets and mascots by the armed forces. A number of these are featured in the exhibition including Rin Tin Tin, who was found as a puppy on the Western Front in the First World War and went on to become a Hollywood legend; Judy, the pointer, the only animal to have been officially registered as a Japanese prisoner of war; Voytek, the bear mascot of the 22nd Transport Company of the Polish Army Service Corps who saw action at Monte Cassino in 1944; and Simon of HMS Amethyst, the only cat to have been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal known as the “animals’ Victoria Cross”. Dickin Medals on display include those awarded to three police horses during the V1 Flying Bomb Offensive of 1944 and to Buster, the spaniel, who located a cache of arms in Iraq in 2003.
It is estimated that 16 million animals served during the First World War – by 1916 alone the warring nations had raised 103 cavalry divisions with over a million horses. Despite increasing mechanisation and advances in technology, animals have continued to play their part in the front line. Mules, elephants, camels, horses and other beasts have transported men and material in difficult terrain. In the Second World War over 200, 000 carrier pigeons were used by Britain’s armed forces and secret service organisations. Dogs have guarded military personnel and property, located injured soldiers, tracked down enemy insurgents and sniffed out explosives. More recently rats and pigs have also been trained to clear minefields and the dolphin’s sensitive sonar has been exploited to identify mines in the Persian Gulf.
The accompanying exhibition book, The Animals’ War, written by the historian Juliet Gardiner, with a foreword by Jilly Cooper, is published by Portrait, priced at £20.00. A children’s book, Animals at War by Isabel George and Rob Lloyd Jones has been published by Usborne to coincide with the exhibition, priced at £4.99. These books, together with animal related merchandise, are available from the Museum shop.
RELATED EVENTS – FREE unless otherwise stated
Family Fun Day
Saturday 26 May , 12.00 – 4.00pm,.Throughout the Museum
Join us to get a first look at the exhibition and take part in other free special activities. Meet some of the animals still serving today and enjoy animal demonstrations. Plus - look out for the themed food in the WaterShard Café.
Animals and War Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday 1.30, Main Exhibition Space and Special Exhibitions Gallery
This family-friendly tour looks at the Museum’s themes through the experiences of animals in wartime, using puppets and photographs from our handling collection, as well as the new exhibition The Animals’ War. Ideal for ages 4 – 11.
Moving Pictures: Animals in Wartime
Sundays 27 May, 24 June, 22 July and Saturdays 11, 18 August 1.30, Learning Studio
A programme of short films looking at the experience and contribution of animals in wartime.
Studio Sessions
Wednesdays 6 June, 4 July, Saturdays 23 June, 21 July, 11 August, 25 August .
Learning Studio 11.00 – 4.00
Join staff from the Worker’s Film Association to find out about film animation, using models to create your own short clips. The finished film will be shown at the Evening Event film screening of Valiant. (B) Booking is recommended as places are limited on 0161 836 4007. Suitable for ages 9+
Event Evening Film Screening: Valiant
Saturday 11 August 5.30 – 8.00 Main Exhibition Space
IWM North joins Arts About Manchester’s Family Friendly Film Festival (10 – 17 August) with activities and screenings throughout the summer. Walt Disney and Vanguard Animation’s feature film Valiant tells how a lowly wood pigeon overcomes all odds to become a hero in the Royal Air Force Homing Pigeon Service during the Second World War.
Booking required on 0161 836 4007Tickets £4, children £2, family tickets £8 (families of 4) (includes car parking)
The Animals’ War at Imperial War Museum North is sponsored by the Kennel Club and PetPartners plc. The Kennel Club’s primary objective is “to promote in every way, the general improvement of dogs”. The organisation was founded in 1873 and is able to offer dog owners an unparalleled source of information, experience and advice on dog welfare, health, training and breeding.
PetPartners plc is one of the UK’s largest pet insurers – specialising in not only offering, but promoting exceptional pet health and welfare together with the Kennel Club.
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