1940 Dunkirk Veterans' Association
| Home Page | Memorial Grove |
The Memorial Grove
at the National Memorial Arboretum
Sited in the heart of England, within the National Forest, this Arboretum will become a magnificent living memorial - a place of peace, reflection and enjoyment. It covers a total of 150 acres gifted by Redland Aggregates.
It is being planted with species native to Britain - such as oak, ash, field maple and hazel - and with rare and exotic varieties from all around the world. Its central features will include:
- A Millennium Avenue grown from 2000 year old stock.
- A National Police Memorial Avenue 'The Beat', planted with a collection of chestnuts.
- A Rose Garden, planted as a tribute to Britain's War Widows.
- A Poppy Field, sponsored by the Royal British Legion.
- An Avenue of the United Nations, where every member state will plant a tree.
- A Golden Grove, planted for couples celebrating their Golden Wedding.
And throughout there will be memorial areas and trees planted in tribute to the men and women of the twentieth century whose lives have been lost in wars and conflicts.
The National Memorial Arboretum gives us a chance to look forward as well as back, to commemorate the past by creating a permanent and living gift for the future.
The idea to create the Arboretum was inspired from a concern of the late Group Captain Lord Cheshire VC OM DSO DFC (a Vice President of the 1940 Dunkirk Veterans' Association) who felt that something positive should be done if we were to remember for ever our debt to those who gave so much to defend our freedom. The Arboretum will fulfil that desire and, in keeping with Lord Cheshire's vision, a small percentage of each donation goes towards helping those who are still suffering as a result of conflict.
The initiative was launched by the then Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. John Major in 1994. The project has been awarded £1.8m by the Millennium Commission to build a Visitors Centre and Chapel. Work on the site began in 1997 and the layout of the plots is expected to be completed by the year 2000.
INAUGURATION CEREMONY AND SERVICE
OF DEDICATION
| 11:45 | All Visitors seated in marquee. |
| 11:50 | Arrival of Guests. |
| 12:00 | Welcome by Commander David Childs RN, Director, National Memorial Arboretum. Response by Major General V H.J. Carpenter CB MBE, Service of Dedication Conducted by: Lesson read by: Hymns accompanied by The Lancastrian Brigade Band (Preston) Unveiling of the Memorial Plaque Exhortation by: |
| 13:00
(circa) |
Parade and March Past
Buffet lunch ('red' buffet ticket holders only) End |
Website kindly hosted by The Second World War Experience Centre