The Key Points from the RESCUE Open Meeting to discuss 'Mortimer' on Sat 02 April

[BAJR]

Damn good to hear from a Grassroot digger who is wiling to have a big mouth.

THe worry is that a commercial unit can't be seen to be saying... please help us. (though teh bank got away with it!)

You do hit the nail on the head though that archaeology has got to.. absolutely must, be so visible to the community that it is seen as essential. this means MORE press, MORE open... more involvement (via open sites, talks etc... ) on this note...

see this: Which I am going to do. to show what we do.. and why not get in touch too... and give you version of a day ( even if you are not employed at that thime, it may show just how much we give a damn. ) If people see what we do, then they care.

http://www.dayofarchaeology.com

Thanks Hayley.

[moreno]

I’m a grassroots digger with limited time but a big mouth,

You'll fit right in


Not too crazy about the name either. I mean no disrespect by saying surely a more creative name could have been used, sort of hamstringing the message before hand. The name becomes a topic and the message gets lost in the commentary. AB's presentation struck me more like a brain storm, and in the process some pertinent questions and concerns are being raised. The question is will AB take these on board?

[Hayley]

I've already done it!

I don't see it as a cry for help anyway, more a cry for support, as long as individuals state they don’t want bailing out, just support for a service that is important.

[Wax]

I absolutely hate the name Mortimer I shows a singular lack of imagination not least of which Is the element Mort !!!!! !

And how many people actually remember the chap?

Totally the wrong image, White privileged class

[Digger]

I agree, no disrespect but it is the tweedy, middle aged, white, upper middle class, Empire and all that, kinda
image. I think you may want to try something more inclusive??

[Boxoffrogs]

I agree that Mortimer is a wrong name, as a concept a great idea, as a goer? I fear that the 'profession' wide apathy will kill it dead, though I hope not. Are we hoping to pull in all other 'heritage' profession too? likewise associations EH,NT etc?

Agreed we need to raise the profile of archaeology but do we really need to do so to the general public? Tony and his cronies seem to be doing that very well already.

Surely the target should be the ConDem Govt. in which case we need to kick IFA, ALGAO, EH, CBA etc who already have in roads. Re inventing the wheel is never a good move.

[P Prentice]

mortimer is so wrong it beggars belief and if AB is really interested in gaining a concensus from the entire archaeological congregation why is he not on this forum?

and boxoffrogs, the ConDem nation is based on the premise of it being the voting public who run this country - they just need educating in our weirdy ways

[Boxoffrogs]

Umm PP we did not vote for the Condem Gvt did we? It was foisted upon us sadly...

[BAJR]

I think that we have a real idea that the majority (right or wrong) voted for Condems... I like everyone else am amazed at Mortimer. So wrong... its wrong.

WE have explored the loveHeritage label. like loveFilm etc

IT says waht it means... and yes yes yes... we (archaeologists) MUST have them (everyone else) with US or we will disappear up our own self-importance. we must be inclusive, we must be open, and we must realise that archaeology is in itself not that important.. what it can do however.!

Now thats democracy. Speaking as someone who is now so immersed in community archaeology, that I am having trouble thinking of any other involvement.

[Boxoffrogs]

I will state it one last time NO person in the UK voted for a Condem govt....