The National Memorial Arboretum has appointed a county councillor to help shape plans for future developments and raise its international profile.
Mike Maryon, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, was previously on the Arboretum’s communication committee as a voluntary member.
His appointment to the Development Steering Group follows a commitment by the county council to invest £3m in the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal over the next six years.
Through the appeal, launched by the Duke of Cambridge in 2009, the Alrewas site is planning to build a Veterans Pavilion to provide a venue for functions, events, and acts of remembrance. It will also help create a Remembrance and Learning Centre for visitors.
Cllr Maryon is a veteran who joined the Royal Navy in 1966 and served in the first Gulf War.
He said: “It is an honour to be representing the county council on the Arboretum’s Development Steering Group.
“In October last year the cabinet approved a £3m investment in the Appeal to help it achieve international recognition as the UK’s centre of remembrance and I hope to continue to forge close links between our organisations.
“Around 300,000 people visit the Arboretum each year and the aim is to attract many more from other countries. We are proud that Staffordshire is home to the Arboretum and I’m very much looking forward to playing a part in helping to shape its continued success.”
Charles Bagot-Jewitt, chief executive of the Arboretum, which is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities, added: “Cllr Mike Maryon is a well-known supporter of and advisor to the Arboretum.
“We are delighted that he is joining the Development Steering Group, a key forum for taking the Arboretum’s development forwards, where his expertise in many fields will be enormously valuable to us.
“His appointment to the group is also recognition of Staffordshire County Council’s significant investment in the Arboretum for which we are most grateful.”
