It’s all in the detail when it comes to ensuring the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms of today are honoured with the diligent upkeep of their graves at Ford Park Cemetery.

Shelley Winfield and Glyn Rogers (Pictured right) generously give hours of their time to tend to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Ministry of Defence graves on our site. 

This week they have been working their maintenance magic and the fruits of their labour will be seen by those who come to a War Graves free guided tour taking place on Tuesday 23rd May 2023. 

Starting at 11am from the Cross of Sacrifice the walk will be an opportunity to learn how the vision of one man is now evident worldwide with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries and work. And how behind every name on a headstone there are stories of selfless courage.

The warmer weather has helped the carefully planted borders to blossom, including the stunning Rose (pictured) called Trumpeter rose.

The symbolism of the border planting is really quite simple.

As most of the CWGC large plots are in France and Belgium the Horticultural designers at the time (just after the first world war) wanted to create a little bit of England.  So the border plant schemes were designed to try and reflect a typical English garden, hence the use of roses in between the headstones.

Each CWGC headstone border is planted with a mixture of floribunda roses and herbaceous perennials. Low-growing plants are chosen for areas immediately in front of headstones, ensuring that inscriptions are not obscured and preventing soil from splashing back during rain.