You may have signs seen on your travels around Dorset and elsewhere indicating the presence of Commonwealth War Graves within some of our cemeteries. You may have seen rows of these calm, beautiful Portland stone gravestones dotted around in Northern France. From their web site:
We care for 23,000 war memorials and war cemeteries around the world commemorating 1.7 million Commonwealth casualties. This work covers our distinctive headstones, the buildings and monuments associated with them and the detailed horticultural work to the grounds they stand in.
We have invited a speaker from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to come and talk to two of our local clubs.
On Thursday October 1, The Thursday Club will host their first talk in the series ‘The CWGC’ on Thursday October 1 at 2.30pm, at Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall. Members free, guests £3:
THE CWGC
The history of the CWGC and its work today. Beginning with how the Commission began, its work during the First and Second World Wars and concluding with its work today in maintaining and preserving our historic estate around the world. The presentation will also focus on the war graves in your local area and tell the stories of some of those we commemorate.
On Monday 30 November at 7 for 7.30pm, the Piddle Valley Gardens Club will host the next talk in their series, “Gardening the Globe’ also at Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall. Members free, guests £2:
GARDENING THE GLOBE
What were the early influences on the horticultural design of the cemeteries, and how did this enhance them? Looking at the challenges we face with climate change and how our horticulture design and maintenance is influenced by the different circumstances of our cemeteries around the world.
Come along and find out about our wartime heritage.
Find out more about the work of the CWGC here: https://www.cwgc.org/
