There are always seductive and reasoned arguments to be heard in favour of reducing our societies' investment in military spending. But no matter how intensely some mindless militarist or peace campaigner would like to impress their narrow perspectives about this debate upon you - the issue of how we educate future participants in our democracy about war and how to preserve peace is still open to debate. It always will be in any society worth living within. However, as yet no-one has convinced me that not knowing about the past will make the ghastliness which is war go away. I think it is therefore difficult to argue that money spent on a visitor centre would be wasted, especially one which focuses on education and understanding as its primary purpose.
Easy access is vital.
It should be visible but not intrusive. The centre should be situated where the British focus sits easily to hand. The centre should be situated in a place where the story of the conflict is both meaningful and capable of stirring the emotions which are an essential part of each visitor's experience. Already, for a variety of different reasons and in a number of different places on the Somme, the South Africans, Canadians and Australians have established or are establishing visitor centres. There are many potentially good sites.