Page 12 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

12 The Gazette QARANC Association
QA Memorial Garden
My first introduction to the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) was some 20 years ago when, in my previous role, I was tasked with tracing a 10ft policeman who had gone missing from Kent. I discovered that he had been transferred to the Visitor Centre at the NMA and was “on
groundwork (not literally) required to make this happen. The works were completed just in time for our celebratory event in June and the path was officially opened by Colonel Alison Farmer and Brigadier Tony Finn.
We are grateful to all those who visit
duty” at the entrance. Some of you might remember him. I never imagined that one day I would return and be responsible for overseeing one of the memorial gardens on behalf of the QARANC. It is some years since the garden was moved to its current location so wear and tear was inevitable. The Association Board of
We are grateful to all those who visit to pay their respects and keep us updated on how the garden is faring
to pay their respects and keep us updated on how the garden is faring, most especially members of the Midland branch, the nursing and HCA students and local resident Paul Whelpton, whose late wife was a QA.
Plans for the future include the installation of a timeline and the introduction of a garden maintenance contract so that the garden
Trustees recently agreed to fund a replacement path, making the garden more accessible. Our thanks to Fletch, (Lt Col (Retd) Duane Fletcher), for the
will always look its best.
Sue McAteer Regimental Secretary