tomorrow I am visiting the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas Satffordshire. I shall be doing my best to photograph all 150 memorials as i know nearly all of them are of interest to us all. However i am aware also that there will be too many images to post up here. If enough of you express an opinion i will create a forum specific photobucket account for everyone to upload to and access. Now this thread is for visit information in order for the rest of us to beg for photos :becky:
I'll start the begging.. you have to feel sorry for a .:crutch: who can't walk around such a large place....so piccies please
Not after anything specific but will just be interested to see photos of the place. A photo of the tour guide would be good now she's no longer a poor student!
pfft! tour guide made sure her reflection didn't show well or at all! Damn that place is big, i managed to complete one third of the site, which meant i walked about 3 miles? Hells knows how they expect the veterans to get around. But due to the size of the photo files I(10meg camera!) and the number of photos (330) i will have to create a photobucket account soon. But here are a couple of shots of the Armed Forces Memorial. The engraver was working on the 2007 list, and had yet to reach the end. When the list is finished the arboretum will be closed and a private ceremony held for the families of those listed.
The 2007 list for those lost in Afghanistan etc? What an incredibly impressive and moving site. Never seen pics of it before.
it was opened last year. the list begins on August 16th 1945. It lists, by force and then by date of death (so names run in order of date not by alphabet) of all those who died whilst in the services. whether on active service or in an accident at home. The memorial has tens of thousands of names inscribed upon it. they cover almost 5 of the 6 internal alls. i suspect once they are full they will turn their attention to the exterior walls. it was designed to have space left for about another 10 thousand? Not entirely sure. But on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month a beam of sunlight passes through the partially open doors by the bronze figure and comes to rest on the central bronze wreath in the second picture. (The open door is by the bronze figure on the right with his arm outstretched pointing to the doors)
Thankyou so much for the photos your have already sent me Kitty. I now have them already to go up on the new website once its ready for launch and the ones you have sent will have a page all of their own as it does cover such a period of time and is continuing. Again a very many huge thankyous for all your hard work Sniper eep:
The National Memorial Arboretum I have been visiting the site for many years now. Cmdr.David Childs who was basically the Fundraiser come Director of the whole project had a huge struggle obtaining funds. He started with a large piece of land that had already had a layer of Gravel taken from it so was prone to flooding. He had the whole area drained as well as possible. The Chapel and visitors area were all built before T.R.B.L. took over,and many of the larger Memorials were in place. I think it was the "it's got to be in London" mentality that initially held the project back. After The Royal British Legion took over the site sufficient finance was forthcoming from official sources to take the project forward. This was something David didn't have,but still did a tremendous job in getting the project off the ground. He Deserves a Huge vote of thanks to go with the C.B.E. that he was awarded. Kitty hope you visted the Mediterranean Area where the Rats of Tobruk Memorial is Located.
Wish I could have done. I made it around the pink walk which took up the 2 hours I had there. Will need to return to photograph the remaining memorials.
T.n.m.a. Another question Kitty; were you in the Chapel for the Last Post at 11.am. Worth getting there in time. The Mediterranean Plot can be reached by coming out of the sliding doors near the Cafe entrance. Turn right and walk straight by the building,down the slope and over the road. The Mediterranean Plot is about 60 or so yds further on and is to the right. I had a Memorial dedicated and a tree planted in the area about six years ago. Myself and a Veteran friend of mine visit three times a year to lay a wreath. Just about an hours run from Home.
ooh I'm with ti now. yes I was there. took photos of all of the memorials in the Pink walk, which did include med and Africa. sorry am somewhat having a blonde day today. It was a beautiful area, and loved it, but even i was tired out by the time i completed that section. Such a beautiful area. And unfortunately i didn't get to the last post, due to faulty directions from the AA and the lack of signage from our direction we didn't arrive until after the ceremony. Maybe next time
Tnma The signing for TNMA is not great, but basically if you are travelling on the A38 in the Direction Derby - Lichfield turn off at Alrewas,turn left at junction and left at the bottom. Fine if you've been before. You couldn't help but see the 49 Div Memorial. The Bear is supposed to turn white when the wood ages. Not altered one shade since it was dedicated. Hopefully myself and a couple of friends will be making a visit before the end of the month. This retirement allows such indulgances.
I really want to visit but from here it's quite a trek. Will have to check out B&Bs. And all that walking.....!
Tnma The place to stop is one of the travelodge Motels.There is one on either side of the A38 carriageway not too far from Alrewas ,but you need to book well in advance to take advantage of any offers. At present there are some nights being advertised at £19 if you can put your visit off for a while. At the A38 Travelodge you also get a 25% discount at the ajoining Little Chef. Family rooms are usually the same price as a double. I use Travelodge all the time. Next week I have 2 nights on the M4 just outside West London. The price £9 a night, which was booked in December. This was an exceptional price as £19 is usually their lowest offer . What anyone who is disabled should know is that Electric Scooters are available at TNMA, but to be sure of getting one perhaps a telephone call made in advance. No Excuses Kyt.
Travelodge A quick search shows that the earliest availability is on the Southbound Lodge. Mon 30th June. The next are July 13th,14th and 15th. I don't think the offers will be available for too much longer. peepeep:
I expect that bear is the spruce/larch? that turns silver with weathering? Odd it hasn't started to turn, must be a treated wood. As to directions. coming from Derby way means a major trek across the country for us from cheshire. We've checked the map book and the route the AA gave us took us out of the way too. We've got it figured now. Just now to find time to get back there
Me and a couple of pals are thinking of making a weekend pilgimage, to say hello to a couple of old friends. I have always believed that something like this was required.. Sad to see it had to be charity funding. Still when the government treats it's armed forces like second class citizens, what else can be expected?
Am off to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas on Sunday. Any requests for different memorial photos please PM me. I'll make a final check saturday night (Greenwich time) for requests, anything after that and you've missed the boat
