I have no wish to get embroiled in a long discussion about archivist,
however as founder and webmaster of the ex pupils website, I understand
some may be interested in my view.

The facts are simple- A number of years ago I was asked to put a page on
the website, asking for suitable media to be sent to "The Elliott
Schools Hon Archivist John Dodwell". This request was complied with
because it seemed to be an excellent way to secure safely, items that
could otherwise get lost for all time.

After some 12 months it occurred to me that this was a `one way
street', as although I was putting people in touch, no media was
coming back for displayed on the website. Over the next six months I
asked both Mr Dodwell and Mr Tucker why this was. To this date I have
never received a satisfactory answer. I was also told of people lending
the school Archivist items for copying, but not getting them back,
although I have had no personal experience of this myself.

In 2008 at a meeting with Mr Tucker and Edmund Hodges (held at the
school) we made the decision to change the website policy until
assurance that we would get access to the archived information, were
given. Since that time our policy has been to copy and publish all
suitable items, before returning them. In many instances this is not
necessary because many people now have the facility to copy and submit
their own items. This policy has in the main, resulted in the wonderful
collection of items available on the website today.

I am sorry to say that if we were just relying on items from the school,
the website will be virtually empty and the 'Teachers List' would be a
blank single page. Of course everything we have posted is in the 'public
domain' and can therefore be used by the school, or any other interested
parties.

Andy Lambert

Webmaster and Moderator





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