HUNDREDS of young people have taken to the stage as part of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the National Memorial Arboretum.
They kicked off a celebration weekend with music, poetry, dance and theatre. It was the culmination of an eight week programme of creative workshops in local schools.
Celebrations continue across the weekend, with two days of performances, shared moments of reflection and storytelling, as well as the launch of a new Heritage Hub.
Philippa Rawlinson, director of the National Memorial Arboretum and director of remembrance for the Royal British Legion, said:
“During our first 25 years, what began as the seed of an idea has grown into a vibrant year-round Remembrance landscape, freely open to all.
“Thanks to an ever-growing community and collective efforts, a series of muddy fields has been transformed to realise our founder’s ambitious vision for a dedicated centre of remembrance.
“Today we are home to more than 420 memorials to the Armed Forces, emergency services and civilian organisations, helping us preserve inspirational stories of service and sacrifice, supporting our work to pass the baton of remembrance to future generations.”
The Heritage Hub, supported by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is part of an 18-month archival project to preserve the memories and experiences that have shaped the site since its inception.
It will document the site’s first 25 years of history since it was founded by Commander David Childs CBE.
The naval veteran established the dedicated remembrance space on former quarry workings in Alrewas.
