This article is from 'bbc', was first published or seen on Sat Jan 13 12:15:07 UTC 2007 and has 2 versions.
It has 14 recommendations - Recommend this revision.| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
Row erupts over golly exhibitionSat Jan 13 12:20:10 UTC 2007 |
Criticism over golly exhibitionSun Jan 14 02:20:55 UTC 2007 |
| An exhibition of golly badges at a Hampshire museum has been criticised. | |
| The private collection on display in Westbury Manor Museum in Fareham has been criticised for its perceived racist connotations. | |
| Dr John Molyneux, from the University of Portsmouth, said the items should not be regarded simply as a childhood pastime or hobby. | Dr John Molyneux, from the University of Portsmouth, said the items should not be regarded simply as a childhood pastime or hobby. |
| But Nick Martin who owns the collection said the exhibition had been very popular and no-one had complained. | But Nick Martin who owns the collection said the exhibition had been very popular and no-one had complained. |
| No complaints | No complaints |
| Mr Martin told BBC News: "There is no dispute going on at all. The museum said that not one person had complained. | Mr Martin told BBC News: "There is no dispute going on at all. The museum said that not one person had complained. |
| "I spent an hour and a half at the museum speaking to people who had come to see the exhibition and no-one had any problems with it." | "I spent an hour and a half at the museum speaking to people who had come to see the exhibition and no-one had any problems with it." |
| The museum said it would continue to show the collection, but reconsider the decision if it received complaints. | The museum said it would continue to show the collection, but reconsider the decision if it received complaints. |
| The golly badge, which was once produced to promote sales of jam and marmalade, is now a collector's item. | The golly badge, which was once produced to promote sales of jam and marmalade, is now a collector's item. |
| The golly badges were produced to promote jam and marmalade | The golly badges were produced to promote jam and marmalade |
| The collection on display at the museum was compiled by a local resident who started collecting the badges as a child. | The collection on display at the museum was compiled by a local resident who started collecting the badges as a child. |
| But Dr Molyneux said the original creation of the golly character has more sinister connection. | But Dr Molyneux said the original creation of the golly character has more sinister connection. |
| He said: "At the time that they were produced they were part of a racist atmosphere, of a racist attitude towards non-white people, very definitely. That's the history I don't want to be lost. | He said: "At the time that they were produced they were part of a racist atmosphere, of a racist attitude towards non-white people, very definitely. That's the history I don't want to be lost. |
| "Presenting them as just innocent children's play things is suppressing that real history." | "Presenting them as just innocent children's play things is suppressing that real history." |
| Hampshire County Council said it is sorry if anyone has been offended and the museum said it would reconsider the showing of the exhibit if it received direct complaints. | Hampshire County Council said it is sorry if anyone has been offended and the museum said it would reconsider the showing of the exhibit if it received direct complaints. |
| Councillor Margaret Snaith, from Hampshire County Council said: "Most people of my age can remember these things and can remember collecting them. | Councillor Margaret Snaith, from Hampshire County Council said: "Most people of my age can remember these things and can remember collecting them. |
| "We were very sorry when the connotation changed. I just think it's a great pity." | "We were very sorry when the connotation changed. I just think it's a great pity." |