Education
At some point when we are considering preserving a Historic Artifact, the subject of education will always arise. Education will play a ‘key’ roll in what we are trying to preserve for generations to come. Lets face it we are not going to live forever, so the knowledge that we have which has been learnt through our own education and experience must be passed on to others.

It seems to me that if we do not pass on the knowledge that we have then there is ‘no’ point trying to preserve any Historic Artifacts at all! If we do not train people through education to look after these important artifacts, then the system of restoration, conservation and in some cases scheduled maintenance will not take place, this will then result in the loss of the artifact that we are trying to preserve.

So with this in mind we at the Trust will be training all volunteers how to look after Stalker and preserve her for future generations to come. However, we at the Trust feel that we have a responsibility to those people who, for whatever reason, may not be as academically capable as others. We accept that for some people a more hands on approach would suit their educational needs better. Therefore we must endevoure to create an atmosphere where these people feel that they will not be ridiculed for their lack of academic abilities. We must create an environment whereby these people will feel confident about themselves and feel that they are making a valuable contribution to the preservation of Stalker.
We at the Trust firmly believe that everybody is good at something; all we have to do is find out what! For some of these people they will find out that they have talents that they did not know they had.

Stalker has the ability to excite and stimulate people and it is because of this affect these people will want to learn more about the project and the ship. After all these people will be in an environment that is totally foreign to them. We must create an atmosphere that is not only educational but is also fun at the same time. Therefore it is vital that the people that are doing the educating also understand the roll that they are playing. It is no good shouting at people if they do something wrong because this will have the opposite affect to what we are trying to achieve. They must ask themselves why did this person do it wrong, perhaps it was their fault because they did not make themselves clear enough. People will not learn if they are bullied into learning. Therefore the trick is to give them lots of praise when they do something well and explain to them what they have done wrong in a manner that will help them better understand why they did it wrong in the first place.

We must create an atmosphere where these people are encouraged to ask questions and that they get the right answers. Where they are given problems to solve but are also not afraid to ask for help. Those who teach these people must have patience and lots of understanding, even if at times they feel like they are banging there heads against a wall!

It is important that we do not loose sight of what we are trying to do!
Stalker and we at the Trust need the help of these people for the ships future survival as a vessel of ‘extraordinary maritime importance’



Malcolm Tattersall (Chairman)
Maritime Steam Restoration Trust

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