Gibraltar War Memorial survives flood

The Gibraltar War Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK survived the recent floods experienced in the area.

Joe Brugada, architect of the Arboretum, explained that the expansive 150-acre site is centrally located in the National Forest in Staffordshire, adjacent to the confluence of the River Tame with the River Trent and directly neighbouring Croxall Lakes.

“It nestles in a lush maturing woodland boasting over 25,000 trees. Thus, in years of stormy heavy rains it becomes a flood plain,” he said.

“This is such a year and on the 8th anniversary of the Gibraltar War Memorial, when my daughter Givi and son Joe Jr arrived to lay our now traditional poppy wreaths they found most of the Arboretum under water, the result of Storm Babet as it batters parts of the UK.”

“The Gibraltar Memorial, one of now 400 thought-provoking memorials, is thankfully sited on a slight knoll which has vindicated our choice of location for its erection, escaping the full impact of the flooding.”

“Sited at the foot of The Beat, the Policeman's walk with traditional blue lamp, you can see more than half of this beautifully manicured avenue flooded in the distance. To its right is the neighbouring Widows Rose Garden completely swamped. While eight meters away the Gibraltar NMA War Memorial stands proud, and though wet, has survived Babet,” he added.

Wreaths laid are from the Government and people of Gibraltar, The Royal British Legion (Gib branch) and the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society, London.