Arboretum Visit

[James Hutton]

I can't believe that I've never been to the National Arboretum before. Despite it being a very wet and miserable day I spent about 6 hours wandering around the memorials.

You will be pleased to know that the Victorious Tree and Bench are in good condition, although the bench could possibly do with a bit of varnish next year.

Does anyone know the protocol for renovating the memorials? I'm happy to go down when it's a bit less wet.

James

[James Hutton]

The tree is looking good, even though it's losing all its leaves!

James

[Dave]

James   that`s not the HMS Victorious Memorial Bench,   will   look out some pics 

[Dave]

Few pics from  2nd Nov 2019   and 20th Oct 2020 

[Dave]

The Bench

[Dave]

On the Tree

[James Hutton]

My mistake - I'll put it down to the rather inclement weather. I'm not sure if I met Mr Ashley at the 2008 reunion at Coventry. Either way, I'm more than happy to bring some sandpaper and varnish down.

Whereabouts is the bench? I assumed it was next to the tree - sadly the info screens weren't working due to Covid, so it was a case of looking at each individual memorial.

James

[Dave]

From the tree   turn left   short walk 

[James Hutton]

Cheers Crash. Will need to be another day though sadly. Did manage a bit of an outing with the camera. Thank god for weather sealing on both the body and the lenses. My bag was like a sponge - so there's one Christmas present sorted!

Changing lenses in a torrential downpour to get the wide angle is not good.

[stokerstan]

   
  Oh dear James, I worry about you at times.....what do you get up to ? are you still soldiering.

   The Victorious put quite a lot of money into the Arboretum, it was originally set up as a place for quiet contemplation. The Legion seem to have got their paws on the place now,
but Topsey Turner and Crash spend much time down there guarding our tree and bench from day trippers and yummy mummies and kids.

[Topsey]

James, once we get back to some semblance of normality, if you are visiting the NMA give either Crash or myself a call and we can meet up there. Crash and I and his grand daughter do try to keep on top of the benches with an annual strip down and revarnish and polish the brass plates.