On a bright sunny day in May 30 members plus friends set off by coach from Grange to visit the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire. The trip had been organised to see the Soroptimist memorial and also the new one dedicated to the Submariners Association, part of which had been designed by a young schoolgirl from Ulverston.
We had an enjoyable and moving day. Members had recently heard a fascinating talk by Valerie Welti about the Canary Girls – the female munitions workers in both World Wars and its hoped there will soon be a memorial to them.
The Arboretum was the idea of Naval Commander David Childs CBE who had been inspired by a visit to Arlington Cemetery and the National Arboretum in Washington, and believed that the UK should have a ‘living’ memorial to ensure we never forget the lives that have been lost – for whatever reason – ‘A celebration of lives lived’.
The Arboretum currently holds 413 monuments and over 25,000 trees all set in beautiful parkland. It was a glorious sunny day and members enjoyed a 50-minute trip round the site in the land train with commentary, as well as sitting in the sunshine absorbing the peaceful surroundings.
Entry is free and there is a good restaurant and café, with plenty of parking – and dogs are welcome! If you have not already visited, then a trip is warmly recommended! The Soroptimists certainly enjoyed their visit.
