Poignant

We visited the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire today. It was the first face to face meeting of the RPS East Midlands and Central areas since the start of the pandemic.

Heavy rain pursued us on our journey. Just getting out of the car soaked us. Fortunately, it stopped shortly after. I hadn't understood the information about dogs properly thinking they could only follow a special trail and not go inside, but I was wrong. So we were all able to sit in the café.

Several RPS members were present. I sat down with three members of Ashby PS who reminded me that I was going to go and judge their panels on Wednesday evening.

We didn't make for the main memorial in the centre of the grounds but walked up one drive that took us past the statues commemorating the Women's Land Army and Timber Corps of WWII. My mother started off in the Land Army but joined the Royal Observer Corps in 1943. (extra). Dad was a Senior Aircraftsman in the RAF, making gliders.

The ROC memorial was associated with the Royal Airforce Association memorial (extra). Since both Mum and Dad became staunch supporters of RAFA after Dad's retirement, this was particularly interesting to me. Small blocks of kerb commemorate the names of those who were particularly active including, in today's shot, Ronald Wigley of Bomber Command. His son had placed a poppy cross just above his kerb stone. Given that Ronald had died in 2009, that shows real dedication from his son.

We also found a giant Stick Man, presumably the goal of children visiting the venue.