National Arboretum

[Guest]

Put this under shows and events but looks to me to go there must be an event.

Has any one been there? What is it like?

I viewed video from the air and on the ground from the BBC. It really, from TV, looks a fabulous place. I had not realised it covers so much including the armed forces but also the police, fire brigade and the Merchant Men lost in the Arctic during the WW11.

Each of the memorials is placed in a tree wooded area. Just looking at it made me feel I had to go and look.

A lady who had lost her son in Iraq said she visited regularly. I have visited the memorial in Bayeux in Normandy France where British Military who lost their life in the Normandy Landings are buried. It was an experience I will never ever forget as even thinking of that memory is so very emotional. The lady said that at each visit she had such a feeling of at oneness. From my visit to Bayeux I can quite understand that.

Laurie

[stona]

I visited the arboretum a while ago, not long after it was opened and whilst it was still something of a work in progress. I thought it was very well done. It's not an exciting day out, nor should it be, but certainly one to prompt reflection and I'd recommend it without reservation.

Some of the memorials are quite surprising, even for someone with a passing knowledge of the history, and all the more poignant for it.

Cheers

Steve