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Dover Remembers
GUIDELINES
AND INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS "IN THE FIELD"
We are so grateful
to you, the volunteers, for giving up a little of your time to
ensure that our Dovorians are remembered, and that their graves
or memorials are visited. Here is the information - it's really
mainly commonsense - so that so that
your visit, and those of others, may be enjoyable, and so that
those who visit this website will enjoy your work too.
 For yourself:
Always think first
of your own safety. Don't visit graveyards in sensitive areas,
and don't visit graveyards alone or at unusual times. Ensure
that you are always aware of your surroundings, and that your
car and/or a swift way of exit is nearby, and that at all times
someone knows where you are.
On land that
belongs to others, make sure you have permission to be there; if
you wish to care for a grave, make sure you have the permission
to do that from the plot owners and/or family.
Don't take risks
in inclement weather (yes, a hot sunny day counts as "inclement"
too) or where the ground surface may be
dangerous - and watch out for that wet grass! It's surprisingly
slippery! Make sure you know how to get help, if need be, and it
might be a good idea to have a mobile 'phone with you too for
emergencies (though remember that in some areas reception isn't
good).
We have to say a
couple of other things too. If you send in pictures we will
always credit you for your work (unless you request otherwise),
and it's assumed you give us volunteers here at the Project copyright permission to use, crop and standardise, and
duplicate them for our purposes. That doesn't mean you can't use
them elsewhere - of course you can, because they're yours! If
you feature as a major component a living person or living
people, please make sure you have permission to do so, and to
pass the photos on. If you pass on information, which so very
many people kindly do, we may edit and rewrite, to fit it into
the relevant place in an appropriate way. But be assured we
treat everything with the utmost respect, and if we do make a
mistake, then please
tell us, and we'll put it right as soon as we can.
Please remember too that, like all of us who
contribute to the Project, you are a volunteer. The Dover War
Memorial Project has no employees, and no one works on behalf of
or for the Project, and nor should you claim this. The Project can accept no liability
for loss, damage, or injury, however it occurs. Everyone who participates
and helps remember those we so sadly lost does so
out of respect and as a personal pastime at her or his own risk. Nevertheless, although
we're certain it doesn't need saying, please always be polite to
anyone to whom you may speak. Should any problems arise don't
argue; simply pack up and leave at once. Remember the adage
Maggie's old boss used to quote, "If in doubt, leave it out!".
Don't get involved - but do, please,
let us know what
happened.
For your photographs:
If you are photographing a gravestone, please
crouch down (or, more comfortably, use a kneeler) so that your camera lens is level with the
horizontal and vertical centre of the stone. If
you take pictures from a standing height, inscriptions don't
come out so well and the gravestone
 appears oddly foreshortened.
If you are taking a picture of an inscription on a memorial,
please get as close as possible (though obviously this might not
be practical!) and try to include the name either
side of the name you are photographing, so that there is a
context for the inscription.
If there is a secondary inscription at the
bottom of a gravestone (there often is) please also try to
include it in your shot. Sometimes
plants may obscure these inscriptions. If it is possible to move
the plant gently aside without damaging it, so that you may take
your photo, please do so. If not, then please write down the
inscription, and let us know what it says when you send in your
photos. Please be very careful not to damage the plants.
Inscriptions can sometimes be difficult to read; if you are in
any doubt, please write down the full inscription too. Sometimes
spraying with water (only water!) can help highlight an
inscription for photography.
Very popular are
the wider shots of cemeteries or memorials too, so that the
grave or name may be located in the wider scene. People enjoy
too visiting the cemetery plans on the CWGC website, and seeing
exactly where their loved one's grave is located.
Pictures of
the scene help very much with this. Please, then, when you have
taken your photograph of the grave or name on the memorial, also
take a bigger picture of the scene including the grave or
portion of the memorial where the loved one is remembered.
Examples are on the
previous page
And finally:
We hope you enjoy
yourself as you remember those we lost. Remember, you are doing a
worthwhile job, which means much to many. You are also helping
to keep alive the memory of those who gave everything for us.
Thank you.
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