Sign of the Times
November 2nd, 2009 - 142 views
We were emailed this earlier today from a residents how long has the sign been up. I have’nt been that way for a few days but I did’nt notice it then .Please comment.
Update: 12 Aug 2009
New sign finished today same as the old one we think , lets see if this one lasts more than five minutes.
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It's been up just 4 weeks – there's a discussion about it here on Killamarsh Forum. The mindless scrotes set about it last Saturday and appear to have been back every night to take a bit more of the wording off.
This was paid for out of Parish Council funds. There is also a speed warning device sign on Lock Hill but that doesnt appear to be working yet.
Do we know if they are Killamarsh scrotes or other village scrotes going out of the village at night.
Is this the scrotes which the brass band is so clearly getting off the streets? seems to me that the mindless vandals (or bored teenagers) have nothing better to do. as a teacher i see how boredom affects children in many different ways and unfortunatley peer orientated vandalism is one of them. I find it funny how labels can so easily be earned such as 'scrotes' when one has no real appreciation as to why kids take part in such act. In my opinion society fails to provide adaquete activities and fails to keep up with the times of what kids need. we no longer live in the 50's where kids go to work at a young age or have simple tasks to take up there boredom. times have changed so drastically with computer games etc.. it is just a shame that not all households in killamarsh and surrounding areas can afford to invest in these pleasures. so i beg the question…. who really is to blame?
Thought I'd check the origin and use of the word for you
“”scrotes” can be used somewhat interchangeably with “toerags” – obviously it refers to scrotum – and it has a dismissive nuance about it that makes it entirely suitable to refer to petty criminals, vandals and ne'er-do-well's. Perhaps it's origin lies in the undropped testicles of a male adolescent, but in the same way that a “toe-rag” is a worthless individual, a “scrote” is an annoying and immature male of the same ilk”.
I'd say that probably was the correct term for the most likely suspects for the de-facing of the sign.
The sign is now gone to the wind, we think the vandals were trying to make a coherent sentence by moving the words around, but realised they could'nt spell anything correctly, so they decided to vandalise it, its easier on there peanut brains
The sign is another white Elephant waste of money, it must have been very bad workmanship or materials for it to be so easily defaced the council should ask for there money back.
Clearly the design/manufacture of the sign was poorly thought out – simply replacing it with the same again will lead to the inevitable repeat action from who every is causing the damage – be it bored younsters or mindless vandals.
I would suggest that the previous stone built sign with the cast iron logo and simple “Killamarsh” that was there on the left hand side entering the village would prove to be less of an attraction in the same way that the others at High Moor and Norwood have been left alone for many years.
Come on RROKA can we suggest this to the Parish Council? and adivse them that a replacement of the same will only lead to a continual replacement at probably more cost than the stone sign would be – I will assume that repeat casting of the logo and KILLAMARSH sign in cast iron could be purchased for minimal cost – wooden pattern made for these castings are kept by the companies who make them. A bit of reclaimed stone and 2 days labour shouldnt cost too much.
We totally agree we are allready on the case saw couple of councillors saturday. Also there was a mention of a memorial Cenotaph type memorial fall the fallen of killamarsh has anybody any ideas . As for the sign one in stone with an automatic flame thrower on top is being considered.
At the moment the memorial is on the outside wall of the church to the left of the entrance and beneath a memorial stain-glass window. It is inscribed with the words
“THIS WINDOW WAS DEDICATED 7TH JUNE 1919/ TO/ HONOUR THE MEMORY OF/ OUR FALLEN COMRADES/ IN THE WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ WE ALSO HONOUR/ THE MEMORY OF THOSE/ WHO FELL IN THE WAR/ 1939 – 1945″
I know the names of the fallen are read out every Rememberance Day but not sure if they are included on the memorial – it does seem odd that Killamarsh doesnt have a centotaph. Presummbably this one was erected quite quickly after WW1 and re-worded after 1945.
Where would one be erected?
Since 1919 the memorial service has always taken place in the Church yard where the wreaths are laid on window cill and floor. Perhaps the church yard would be the ideal spot to have one within the gated access.
Just found this note on the St Giles website
“has the names of the fallen on tablets outside the window”
It is just very disappointing that nothing lasts in Killamarsh. There used to be a bus shelter at the bus stop down the road but it was bust that many times it was removed. So unfortunately people now have to wait in the typical English weather for a bus to town or crystal peaks. The park behind the shop, chinese and pub is completely wrecked (not somewhere you can actually take your child). The list goes on….
unfortunately.
Well the signs been taken away, re-signed and replaced. I do hope they've made the lettering a bit more permanent this time or after a while it will be the same as before.
Anyone on for a sweepstake as to when the first alteration takes place? I'm thinking this weekend would be favourite date.
If the wager is worthwhile we can arrange it for this weekend
Seriously though we give it till tonight, friday ,as it usually happens on a friday. We think it may be area yobbos going out or our local yobbos coming back in after a night in town. If the taxis still charge going over the Rother like they used to do in our day, we used to get of at the midland truck bodies and walk the rest of the way to save a few bob so they probably think it amusing to try and vandalise something on the way its the thing hairy forehead people do.
Well it looks like our horse eventually came home – drove past last night at about 10.30 and the H was gone, this morning the S had too. Noticed three likely culprits walking towards Halfway but didnt see them doing it.
So it looks like we've had the sign replaced exactly as before, cheap laminate lettering which clearly can easily be removed. There is a product available in this country which would solve this problem – vitreous enamel sheet. The lettering is screen printed in the enamel and fixed with 400degree C heat to melt it on to a steel sheet. The finished surface is like a tile or glass and is difficult to damage, scratch or deface. If it is attacked by paint it is easily removed with paint thinners which doesnt affect the signage.
The company I work for has provided and installed this product in the uk and here is a photo of The Centre For Childrens' Books in Newcastle – the external artwork is incorporated in the steel sheeting here and it can be purchased from this company here
The signage product is extremely durable and is perfect if you want to give information that is meant to be there for a considerable time – I'm assuming there are no plans to change the name of the village in the next 50 years.
Perhaps this information could be passed on the the PC?
Yes we also noticed the sign, not lasted long. The council monitor all comments on the site so we hope they read the information you have provided, which would be a step in the right direction for a permanent sign and not throwing good money to bad.
Why didn't they think to put in on the side of the small bridge as its in direct view of incomeing and outgoing traffic and would probably look great depending what style of lettering or whatever, plus vandals will have a hard time getting at it.
Good Idea the people coming out of Forge lane would be able to see further up Sheffield road as they have to pull further out to see traffic from the right lets hope the council take these suggestions onboard
It looks like the sign will be going back again – got this in an email yesterday
“Understand Graham Watkinson at AllRoads is arranging to have the sign taken back to the sign shop as soon as possible.
I've said it before “BRING BACK THE BIRCH ! “
I was thinking about the Highways reply regarding the sign and that they can't consider using a product (vitreous enamel) that would resolve the problem because it wouldn't comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions – well so what? Have a normal one with the name of the village on it that does and have an extra one with the stuff about the Normans which doesn't.
What's going to happen? Will the council fine its self for having a sign that doesnt comply? Or will it just continue to pay out to have one which will never beat the vandals replaced every few weeks until in the end someone says enough is enough and we dont have a sign at all?
I wonder if the previous sign built into a stone wall complied with the TSR&GD – I cannot find any reference to those type in the document – it is available on line if you want to have a look – also very useful to read if you get a parking fine, because if the lines and signs dont comply with the Act the fines are illegal and unefforcable (anyone care to take a guess as to how many of the double yellow markings and no parking signs in the village comply with the Act?)
We cannot understand why the council keep doing this, the signs are certainly not up to standard, so why keep doing them in the same material very baffling, unless there is a conflict of interests between the councillors and they are putting there point forward at whatever cost to the taxpayer. As to your comment on the stone sign we cannot see anything at all wrong with this as there are stone ones at Highmoor and the end of Green lane Westthorpe, so we dont see anything wrong with one fitted on the bridge site as they have set a precident with the other stone signs. We would also like the council to put there suggestions for the signs or other such decisions on the website, then people that have prior knowledge ie;( who make signs or who are stone masons or deal in vandal proof materials or can do a better deal for the council,) these people could put there suggestions on the site and give the council better ideas rather than just throwing money down the drain. It would only take a few minutes for the council to put the basic idea for the decision which they are going to make on the website, then
they could take onboard the feedback from people posting rather than just looking at the council website where the decisions are made.
There was even one on the left handside of the bridge on Sheffield Road, until someone drove into it? Surely someone's insurance should have paid to have that one replaced, unless it was a hit and run?
Its about time the council listened to other peoples comments they seem to have big ego problems. If something does'nt work, you dont just do it again for the same thing to happen. I can remember the stone sign at the bridge I think you may be correct on the insurance point surely the council got paid out, if they were not insured there is an uninsured drivers fund they could have got some money off, we all pay it on our premiums but nobody is told this, I only found out after being hit by an uninsured driver.
The council or the vandals have listened the sign has gone alltogether lets hope now they will listen to what the public say and save the council tax payer money simple just communicate with each other it is not rocket science
The council or the vandals have listened, the sign has gone alltogether lets hope now they will listen to what the public say and save the council tax payer money, simple, just communicate with each other it is not rocket science we have the perfect medium to do the job. Every local website should adopt the same criteria.
Went to the East coast this weekend and saw some very nice name plate signs, full colour, vitreous enamel and definately dont comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Direction but they looked very nice and welcoming
http://photos.travellerspoint&…..n-Sign.jpg
http://www.sign-update-magazin…..-Filey.jpg
We have heard the new sign is going to be special, lets hope it is'nt like the Emperor's new clothes invisible.
It's still invisible – I never know if I'm home or not. They must be doing something really special to the replacement – been gone 2 weeks now. I miss it
We think its hollographic, all you have to do is wait till its foggy then it appears through the haze. There is a new one on the drawing board lets hope its a good one this time
The sign is now going to have a vandal proof coating on it dont think so.
Or were in a parrallel Universe where another village has idiots running it, who dont give a toss
Now THAT! Does sound like Killamarsh.
Or is it that all our councilors are re-incarnations? Surely no-one can get that stupid in just ONE lifetime.
We were out at the Rock night at the Leisure centre (which was a good night by the way, ) and some residents were talking about the sign and one of them suggested a half of winding wheel with just KILLAMARSH on it, in cast iron. It maybe a good idea as the vandals would find it difficult to break and it would remind people that we were once a mining village. We know half winding wheels have been done before but there a safe bet any comments are welcome.
I'd think that would be a much more sensible reference to the village heritage – be more relevant to many people in the village that the Normans. Though I doubt there's a shop with old pit-head mine wheels on the shelf, would imagine they'd have been broken up for scrap by now.
Anyone care to make a new half? We've got a couple of small fabrication companies in the village.
They have still got half winding wheels at the Barrow hill museum purchase that, and then get somebody like Ross and Catheralls to cast the Killamarsh part then local Builders to set it in concrete jobs a good un. Does'nt have to be expensive like the last ones just beg steel or borrow ,I would think if the council payed for materials the builders would relish the chance to put the sign up for nothing(maybe cheap rates)
The sign is being coated again with a vandal proof coating dont think so, keep an eye out for how long it lasts.
Noticed the other day the sign going from Killamarsh to Spinkhill must have been done by the same incompetents as the sign coming into Killamarsh from Halfway, letters disappearing, maybe this is just another one or do they ALL want re-doing? If so at what cost and to whom?
Yes we have been in touch with the council but no reply yet. We at rroka think the signs are partly done in invisible ink, as you know it wears off after time and comes back when it gets wet, we also think the council get forgers to do the signs with mystical subliminal messages hidden in the words, so when residents read them it reads VOTE FOR CHARLEY AND HIS DARLINGS YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE.
