A new remembrance garden has opened at Blaby District Council to commemorate those who lost their lives in war, as the country marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.
Featuring flower beds, a new flagpole and three special memorial benches, the remembrance garden is a place for quiet reflection and is the Council’s new permanent memorial. It will become the centrepiece for future flag raising and honouring of armed forces.
The remembrance garden commemorates both the First and Second World Wars, with a bench also placed to signify all men and women who so bravely gave their lives to the country in conflict.
An official opening ceremony took place on Friday 09 November, with guests including Council Leader Terry Richardson, Bill Brown, County Chairman of the Royal British Legion and Member of Parliament for South Leicestershire Alberto Costa.
The opening of the garden comes as Blaby District Council re-signs the Armed Forces Covenant. The signing of the covenant is a commitment from the Council to implement its action plan to support all of those who serve, or have served in the armed forces.
The Council first signed the covenant in 2014.
The Ministry of Defence has awarded Blaby District Council the Armed Forced Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award for its work to support the armed forces and their families in the district. Councillor Mark Jackson is the Council’s Armed Forces Champion.
Cllr Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “We are immensely proud to open our remembrance garden. Marking 100 years since the end of World War One is extremely poignant and we felt it was only right for us to have a permanent memorial residents can use.
“The re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant affirms our commitment to all current or former service personnel. We will continue to support them and their families however we can, treating them with fairness and respect in our community.”
Bill Brown, County Chairman of the Royal British Legion who signed the covenant, said: “Having this Covenant re-signed today strengthens the commitment that the people of Blaby, through their District Council, are showing to our Armed Forces and Veterans. It is a privilege and honour to be part of today’s service.
“To have this continued support is heart-warming and very much appreciated. On behalf of the Leicestershire and Rutland Royal British Legion I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude.”
More information about the Armed Forces Covenant is available via www.blaby.gov.uk/armed-forces-support.