The National Memorial Arboretum

The Armed Forces Memorial

The Armed Forces Memorial dedicated in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen on 12 October 2007, is a nationally significant focus for remembrance, providing recognition and thanks for those who have given their lives in the service of the country since the end of World War II.

The Memorial is a stunning piece of architecture designed by Liam O'Conner which draws its inspiration from the ancient lanscapes of prehistoric Britain and the classical forms of ancient Rome.

The Memorial is particularly important for the many families and friends who have no grave to visit, or cannot easily travel to where a loved one is buried. For further information or to look up an engraved name quickly, visit www.forcesmemorial.org.uk

The Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness

Since the idea of a National Memorial Arboretum was conceived in 1988 it was always the intention that it should include a Chapel for the quiet reflection of the individual visitor and for services to be conducted for groups dedicating trees or plots at the site. The timing of the construction meant the Chapel became linked to both the desire for peace and the celebration of the beginning of the third Millennium.

The Gardens

The War Widows Rose Garden was planted as a tribute to the nation's war widows who often endure great hardship, as well as the emotional stress through the loss of their husbands. The Garden of The Innocents was sponsored by the Association of Inner Wheels Clubs District 6 as a memorial to the children whose lives have been lost or affected by war or conflict. My remembrance Day poppy Garden is a unique and personal memorial where a sponsor chooses the date on which they want to remember a loved one and an everlasting poppy is dedicated to that persons memory.

There are many more gardens to explore including the Army Benevolent Fund Rose Garden, The Polish Armed Forces Memorial, The GPO Memorial Garden, Royal Air Force Halton Apprentices Memorial Garden, The RAF Association, The Royal Artillery Garden, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society Garden, the Lichfield and District Garden, Operation Market Garden, The Antelope Garden for the Falklands conflicts and the Police Memorial Garden.

 

 

Trees and Woodland

Although, still a young arboretum, there are already in excess of 50 thousand trees on the site which are rapidly growing into a unique living tribute. The Beat, an avenue of young chestnuts, was funded by every Police Force in the UK. Chestnuts were chosen because the first truncheons were made from this durable wood. Several of the trees were grown from conkers taken from Drayton Manor, the home of Sir Robert Peel, founder of the Police Force.

The Golden Grove celebrates the lives of couples who married at the end of the second World War and commemorates their 50th anniversary by dedicating trees all of which have either golden leaves, stems or fruits such as the golden stemmed ash.

The Wind In The Willows Wood is primarily a children's wood to combine arboriculture and wildlife education armed remembrance. Individual trees have been sponsored by families and schools and dedicated to babies and children who have passed away. Nearby the trees are large child-sized wooden figures of the Characters from ‘Wind In the Willows' by Kenneth Grahame, carved by the Essex Woodcarvers under the supervision of Peter Benson, Chairman of the Master Woodcarvers Association.

Other trees and woods in the Arboretum include the Millennium Wood, The RoadPeace Wood, Yeomanry Avenue, Armed Services Wood, Cavalry Grove, War Widows Wood, The army Wood, Celebration of Life Grove, Iraq/ Afghanistan Willows, The Navy Wood, The blues and Royals, Mercian Wood, Irish Infantry Grove, Lichfield Wood, Kingfisher Wood, Royal Air Force Wood and Coastal Command.

Wildlife

The habitats that exist within the boundaries of ther National Memorial Arboretum include lakes, ponds, rivers, woodland, grassland, reed beds and wetland, and species known to inhabit the area include brown hares, skylarks, lapwings and otters. Visitors who wish to discover the abundant wildlife can pick up a leaflet from the shop which will lead them on a nature trail around the Arboretum.

Further Information

The National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR

Open daily from 9am - 5pm (except Christmas day)

Contact by phone on 01283 792333

Email info@thenma.org.uk

Visit the website www.thenma.org.uk