National Memorial Arboretum woodland in memory of those lost during pandemic to be 'permanent living memorial'
Bosses at the National Memorial Arboretum have said the woodland planned in memory of key workers who died during the pandemic will be a 10-hectare "permanent living memorial".
Philippa Rawlinson, managing director of the National Memorial Arboretum, said: "As the nation’s year-round place to remember, it is fitting that the National Memorial Arboretum should be home to a space dedicated to those who lost their lives during the pandemic.
"Together with our partners at the National Forest Company, we are working on a proposal to create a 10-hectare memorial woodland on former quarry workings adjacent to our site. They, like ourselves, have had many people inquiring how they could remember loved ones who lost their lives to this terrible virus.
“This new permanent living memorial will heal the old quarry land as we heal ourselves as a nation. It will also be the logical place for a government-led national tribute to our incredible NHS heroes and other key workers who have valiantly served our country as we grappled with a national crisis on a scale not seen since the Second World War.
“It’s essential that we come together and reflect on our shared experience of the pandemic, remembering the lives lost and the incredible sacrifices made by everyone as we had our world turned upside down as we fought the spread of coronavirus. As we emerge from the darkest days we look forward to developing our plans to create a beautiful and living legacy that celebrates lives lived as well as lives lost."
