Soissonnais 1914 -1918

( 2nd part)

Monuments have been cleaned, restored, highlighted and most of the time city councils have taken over the maintenance. The perfect example is the restoration of the Broken Cross on the plateau of Nouvron near the farm of Confrécourt.

 

logo

 

 

fouille 1

restauration 1

restauration 2

Photo (169Ko)

Photo (121Ko)

Photo (207Ko)
 

All those efforts have been crowned with success with the Prize of the Voluntary Restoration Site Association in 1992. The growing interest for our association can be witnessed during our General Assemblies, exhibitions, visits of villages and sites and of course in our involvement in the tourist development project of a cave in Berny Rivière. This project is in partnership with the association of the district of the valley of the Aisne.

 

Over 80 years, a quarter of the testimonies have disappeared. One of the commonest causes is vandalism.

 

The newspapers head-line quoted :

" Stop Massacre ".

 

Stones have been cut out or even destroyed with complete impunity. The Law of 27th September 1941 (updated in 1980 and 1981) regarding excavations as well as the decree of the Prefect are constantly held up to ridicule.

 

January 1988 : the plundering was still going on... and many sculptures were cut out.

 

Complaints were lodged and the police is still investigating.

The protection of the national heritage is not the privilege of our association Soissonnais 1914-18 : It is the responsibility of everyone landowners, town councils, regions and state. 

 

peinture avant destruction
Photo taken just before the mischief of looters (177Ko)

 peinture après dégradation
Photo taken just after the mischief of looters (100Ko)
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