The Kimbolton Branch visited the national memorial Arboretum on September 10 2019.

We left bright and not too early at 8.30, travelling on a Robinson’s coach to Alrewas in Staffordshire. Although there were only 18 of us, it was a great mixture of ages and personalities. After a strong cup of coffee, several members of our party joined the very moving Service of Remembrance which is held each day at 10.50 in the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness located on one side Heroes’ Square.

After the service we joined the Land Train for a 50 minute journey around part of the massive 150 acre site, with an audio commentary to set the scene and point out some of the 350 memorials. This gave us all an indication of the size and stunning beauty of the Arboretum and which memorials we would visit independently, on foot, after lunch.

The café was very good for lunch, after which we all began independently to explore the arboretum taking in the wonderful calm atmosphere and stunning beauty of so many of the individual memorials.

Each of us have our ‘favourites’: the new Sapper Support memorial, the amazing memorial to the Paratroopers, the moving tribute to evacuated children, the scouts camp fire memorial, the list would be endless. David and I ended our visit with time in the Landscapes of Life exhibition located near the reception desk. This included fabulous views of the Arboretum through the seasons, plus brilliant interactive exhibitions. Dawn and Gill especially enjoyed dancing on the leaves which changed to poppies. The picture of a woodland glade which is made photographs of faces…..so much so see and experience. I am sure that the Branch will be visiting the Arboretum again soon. Watch this space!!

Carol Vincent Bennett Kimbolton Branch
RBL-Kimbolton Branch