Hello, I am your tour guide....

Kitty · 04-06-2008, 06:33 PM

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

Kyt · 04-06-2008, 06:38 PM

I'll start the begging.. you have to feel sorry for a .

who can't walk around such a large place....so piccies please

Antipodean Andy · 04-06-2008, 10:22 PM

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!

Kitty · 05-06-2008, 06:15 PM

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.

Antipodean Andy · 05-06-2008, 11:21 PM

The 2007 list for those lost in Afghanistan etc?

What an incredibly impressive and moving site. Never seen pics of it before.

Kitty · 06-06-2008, 06:32 PM

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)

sniper · 07-06-2008, 01:46 PM

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

Brian S · 07-06-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitty

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

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.

Kitty · 07-06-2008, 05:09 PM

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.

Brian S · 07-06-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitty

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.

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.