Day at arboretum for gardeners

FRIENDS from a horticultural society visited the National Arboretum to see memorials to fallen soldiers.

The members from Bollington Horticultural Society visited the National Arboretum near Burton-on Trent which is a centre of remembrance. There are 30,000 trees planted since 1997, with 300 memorials in the 150 acre site dedicated to people killed in wars.

The tree planting is linked to the theme of the memorial, so London plane trees are near the police memorials and horse-chestnuts, which is the wood used for police truncheons.

Susan Graham, from the group, said: “We had a very interesting visit to the National Arboretum.

“Although much of the garden is a remembrance for forces killed since the Second World War, there are a few striking sculptures relating to the First World War such as The Christmas Truce depicting the Christmas when the British and German soldiers stopped fighting, shook hands and played football. The whole arboretum will become more spectacular in years to come as the trees become bigger and more mature and there are plans for more memorials and plenty of seats so you can see everything at leisure.

“It was a really lovely day and I’d love to go again.”

Bollington Horticultural Society meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of each month at The Community Centre, Bollington.