Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association                   

Service of Remembrance                                             

National Memorial Arboretum

Saturday 12th September 2009 at 11.30am

The Northern Ireland Veterans Association (NIVA) remembers both those who laid down their lives and those who served in the province during the conflict.

This year’s service is particularly poignant as it will also commemorate the 40^th anniversary of deployment under Operation BANNER.  We draw our members from all those who served the Crown namely the Military, Police and Prison Service.

This year the Annual Memorial Service will be held on Saturday 12th September 2009, the service starts at 11.30am.

The service will be held in the amphitheatre which is situated to the rear of the chapel and guests are therefore requested to dress for an outdoor service. The service will be followed by a parade down to the Ulster Ash Grove for the laying of wreaths. The parade will form up for a march off at 12.15pm by the Polar Bear near to where the train for the AFM departs.

Following the laying of the wreaths, there will be a 15 minute pause before the parade forms up for the return march to the visitor centre during which the guest of honour will take the salute.

The service is open to all and all Associations are welcome to parade their Standards. It would be appreciated if Associations arranging for groups of their members to attend could notify us of numbers and confirm if their Standard will be parading.

A reception desk will be manned just inside the visitors centre and we will be only too pleased to give you any assistance or answer any questions. If you have considered joining us, you can bring your documents with you and have a chat with our Membership Secretary.

For further information regarding the service and nearby accommodation please contact myself or visit our website at www.nivets.org.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to our annual memorial service.

Richard Leach                                                                                                                 NIVA Media Officer                                                                                media@nivets.org.uk

The NIVA Collect

Almighty and Loving God, who has brought us together in comradeship and remembrance of all who have suffered for the sake of peace in Northern Ireland;
grant us the courage, the strength and the humility to grow in your grace, forgiveness and love,
as we try to honour you and support each other with our memories and our lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Lest We Forget

To the Arboretum

The Arboretum is sited in the centre of England on Croxall Road, Alrewas in Staffordshire, so it is easy to reach from any part of the country. It is close to all the Midlands motorways.

Access by car

M1 (southbound) - exit at Junction 28 and take the A38 south bypassing Derby and Burton or exit at Junction 24 and take the A50 west until you reach the A38 south.

M1 (northbound) - exit onto M6 north and exit M6 at Junction 4 taking the A446 north until it joins the M42 north - exit at Tamworth and take A5 west until you reach the A38 Derby/Burton exit.

M6 (southbound) - exit at junction 11A onto M6 Toll (junction T5) – follow to A38 Burton/Derby, A38 North A513 junction at Alrewas exit.

M6 (northbound) - exit at junction 4 onto M6 Toll (junction T5) - follow to A38 Burton/Derby, A38 North A513 junction at Alrewas exit.

M54 (eastbound) - exit at Junction 1 and take A460 towards Cannock passing over M6 continue towards Cannock - turn right onto A5 south and then leave A5 at A38 Burton/Derby exit.

The map below shows the main roads in the vicinity of the Arboretum. The M42 is just off the map and the nearest point is at Tamworth. For satnav users, the postcode is DE13 7AR.

Access by Public Transport

Lichfield Trent Valley is the closest railway station (5-6 miles). Burton Railway Station is about 8 miles away.

Bus route 112 runs up to every 60 minutes daytime Monday to Saturday, from Burton Railway Station (ideal for customers making connections to and from the Cross Country Rail Network) to Birmingham via Burton on Trent, New Street, Branston, Barton under Needwood, Alrewas, National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield, Hill Hook, Sutton Coldfield and Erdington.

Bus route 7E between Burton on Trent and Lichfield via Branston, Barton, Yoxall, Alrewas and Fradley, will call at the Arboretum on Sundays.

Bus timetables can be found on the Arriva Town Linx website.

From Lichfield: City Cars are offering a special pre-booked taxi rate of £8 each way (4 seat car) or £12 (8 people mini bus) for visitors to the Arboretum. Phone 01543 254999 for bookings.