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Our Programme

At the National Memorial Arboretum each memorial, tree and garden in our grounds tells a powerful story. Tales are shared of bravery shown in the most extraordinary of times, selfless service and sacrifice, friendship and care. 

The stories we share matter and remembering is important. Remembrance has no boundaries, is not specific to culture or community and it does not discriminate. Our collaborative programmes help us to explore, share, and learn from stories in new ways.  

Current Programmes

With her back to the photographer a female soldier dressed in a brown formal dress uniform stands in front of a microphone looking down to a crowd below.

Talent in The Ranks 

Talent in the Ranks supports aspiring singers, songwriters, and poets, from within the Armed Forces community to helping them to develop their skills and share their unique lived experiences.

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A jubiliant group of people walk arm in arm through the streets of London on 8 May 1945

The Year Was 1945...

The Year Was 1945, a series of exhibitions, events, services, talks and tours will open a window in time to 1945, sharing the stories of those who lived and served 80 years ago.

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Dan Simpson, poet-in-residence 2022-2024, reading at the 2024 Armistice Day Service

Poet-in-Residence

The Arboretum's poet-in-residence takes to the grounds of the Arboretum for up to a 2-year period, exploring the surroundings, landscape, and memorials through the art of poetry. Combining the essence of the Arboretum and the art of reflection, the aim of the programme is to create a selection of unique and original poems for the duration of the residency.

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Previous Programmes

From co-curated exhibitions that have explored difficult memories to interactive installations that have helped to share Remembrance stories in an entirely new way, some of our previous programmes have included…

Image shows a crowd of young people in red and green carnival dress performing in front of a crowd

Carnival Windrush celebrates the contribution of the Windrush Generation

On Sunday 6 August, thousands of people descended on the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, to attend Carnival Windrush, an immersive and vibrant celebration of the Windrush Generation.

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Family Visitors with Buggy

Lockdown Landscapes

In partnership with the National Forest Company, Westminster Abbey and Sampad, we have produced a nationwide programme of exhibitions exploring communities’ engagement with local outdoor heritage during the pandemic, displayed across our 150 acre site.

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School children waving union jack flags

VE Day Celebrations Get Underway

On Friday 2 May, over 500 school children from across the midlands treated residents of Galanos House – a Royal British Legion care home – to VE Day inspired performances at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

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In a white room a wooden frame is attached to the ceiling. Hung from the frame are hundreds of strings of fairy lights and Red, blue and white paper flowers. With their backs to the camera two people stare up at the flowers.

Guiding Lights

In Autumn 2023 we worked with over 650 people, from school and community groups, aged from 5 to 95 years old, to weave together arts, culture, history, reflection and Remembrance to create three new temporary installations:

Flowers of Remembrance (pictured) an enchanting illuminated indoor garden created in collaboration with local schools. It explored the symbolism of different flowers and how they commemorate and honour individuals who have left their mark on our communities. A poem written by Poet Dan Simpson gave a voice to the piece.

The Archway of Hope an indoor willow arch enhanced by willow insects and animals to represent the Arboretum's diverse wildlife. The artworks were crafted by three local community collectives under the guidance of Willow Artist Nita Rao

Windrush Path of Illumination was an outdoor, multisensory tribute to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush on UK shores. Created by two community groups in Birmingham, it was accompanied by a soundtrack of original newly composed songs by Ken Burton ‘Across the Seas; and ‘We Honour You’ sung by our Associate Partner Black Voices and local choirs.