Wyevale Nurseries donates 350 hedge plants to memorial
 |
A new memorial to all of those who served at RAF Shobdon in Herefordshire during World War II has been given a helping hand thanks to a donation of hedge plants by Wyevale Nurseries...
RAF Shobdon is now an airfield operated by the Herefordshire Aero Club and Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford has donated 350 hornbeam hedge plants to the club to be used around the new memorial.
Bob Walters, who is ex-military, has worked on the memorial project from the start, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Wyevale Nurseries and the magnificent donation of the 350 hornbeam hedge plants. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of Wyevale in supporting the memorial project. The company has made it possible for us to complete the landscaping, which was needed to complete our vision.”
RAF Shobdon as it was during WW2 was one of the main Glider Training Schools where Army and RAF pilots were trained to fly the large troop carrying and cargo gliders like the Horsa and Hamilcar. The pilots trained at RAF Shobdon went on to take part in the operations in Norway, Sicily, D-Day landings, Arnhem and the crossing of the Rhine. They also supported the Chindits in Burma.
Some 1,345 glider pilots, 291 instructors and 218 tug pilots trained at Shobdon between 1942 and 1945. Nineteen people died during the training.
The Herefordshire Aero Club have built and dedicated a memorial to all of those who served at RAF Shobdon and the names of the 19 who gave their lives are inscribed on the granite memorial plaque.
Nigel Tonks, who has been a member of Herefordshire Aero Club for 14 years and is one of the people behind the project, added: “We managed to raise sufficient funds, through donations, to complete the building of the memorial and a 52-metre concrete access pathway.
“We did all of the ground clearing, shuttering, concreting and erection of the memorial ourselves. We then just needed to complete the landscaping around the memorial and Wyevale Nurseries’ donation of the hedge plants was much appreciated.”
Jennifer O’Shea, Administrator at Wyevale Nurseries, with some hornbeam hedge plants.
The 350 hornbeam hedge plants will provide a medium-height hedge to enhance the memorial with a solid green backdrop.
Adam Dunnett, Sales and Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries, said: “This wonderful memorial is local to us at Wyevale Nurseries and we were blown away by what Bob and Nigel and their wonderful team have already achieved.
“Their proactive approach to building this memorial themselves and their determination to make it happen is truly inspiring. We’re delighted to be able to support a team like this and to acknowledge the people who gave their lives and fought for our country in WW2.”
The memorial team is still in need of fencing to go around the perimeter of the site. For more information on how to get involved email Bob Walters via robflyer@hotmail.com.
|
|
