Its Very Sad, There Will Be Tears' At Bedtime, The Editor's Cant Cope.

Yes, we have to announce the unfortunate demise of the Apostrophe Preservation Society - because "ignorance and laziness have won". In 2001, John Richards, a retired journalist, set up this society after seeing the apostrophe misused so often, in so many different places. He wrote to a national newspaper, hoping for perhaps half a dozen letters of support. He heard from more than 500 people all around the world.
Writing on the society's website,John says: "Fewer** organisations and individuals are now caring about the correct use of the apostrophe in the English language. We, and our many supporters worldwide, have done our best but the ignorance and laziness present in modern times have won!" The website is here and will remain open for a little while longer - it has some great examples of bad signage. Update on website - see comment below from Bless

This is bad enough  - but the one underneath is even worse

And I expect better than this from Sainsbury's. After all, they have an apostrophe in their name, so they should know where it goes.

World's End Stores has more errors than you can shake a stick at...

And as for this sign below in Welsh - who knows what this one says!

I have taught so many 'apostrophe' lessons as a Supply Teacher. The omission apostrophes [can't, wouldn't, they're, he's and the baffling won't] and the possession apostrophes.

1. My method for teaching children about the latter is this - ask yourself, does this belong to somebody?
2. To whom does it belong?

Example:  we have "the girls umbrella." Look at the words on the page, and with your hand, cover up the person who owns it [the girl] So that means the apostrophe goes after the L.  The girl's umbrella.
What about the boys toilet? That's for the boys. So now you know the apostrophe there goes after the s. The boys' toilets. This method seems to work for most children, and then they can manage more complex ones [the ladies' cloakroom, James' boots] 
I have lost count of the number of schools where letters go home about the Parent's Evening [there's only one parent?]

I walked past this school recently, and was very disappointed to see that they have no apostrophe in their logo. I suppose they would argue that it 'looks better' from a graphic point of view.
But I was even more upset to see the banner outside, which proclaimed that 'good' rating from Ofsted also had a misplaced apostrophe. I didn't stop and take a photo, as there was a child beside it, and I didn't want to get arrested. I suggested to Bob that I should go back after dark with a Sharpie and correct it, but he dissuaded me.
John Richards is 96, and I can understand he is slowing down, and needs to put away his Tippex - but I shall continue to do my best to use good English and to pass on these skills to the younger ones. You have no idea how hard it was to mis-type the title of this post!
If you have something to share, spend a few minutes proof-reading it, please.
Don't spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar!  
** Bob is irritated by articles which confuse fewer and less.