Countryfile set to reveal Staffordshire’s changing landscape

Aug. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- BBC1 Countryfile, the flagship Sunday evening programme which covers the people and places making news in the countryside, has filmed recently with Lafarge and at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.  In a programme, set to be aired at 8pm on Sunday 8th August, presenter Ellie Harrison will explore key parts of the National Forest, and focus specifically on the creation of the National Memorial Arboretum on beautifully restored gravel quarry workings.

During the filming Ellie watched Lafarge’s current quarrying operation near Alrewas, and she learnt how Trent Valley sand and gravel has been quarried here by Lafarge for over twenty years. When the first phase of quarrying ceased, the plan was for the land to be returned to agricultural use. However, when Lafarge was approached by Commander David Childs CBE RN (Retd) with his truly inspirational vision to create the National Memorial Arboretum, the company was delighted to make the land available.

Opened only nine years ago, the Arboretum is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities.  Over 150 groups, military and other, are represented at the site.  It employs over 25 people, has over 120 regular volunteers and is completely free to enter.  Visitor numbers have increased significantly since the opening of the Armed Forces Memorial in late 2007, with 300,000 people passing through its gates every year.  

The filming also explored the role of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust in creating important wildlife havens on both the restored land and at the nearby confluence of the Tame and Trent rivers. The Trust has helped encourage a rich diversity of wildlife throughout a wide variety of habitats including lakes, ponds, reedbeds, wetland and grassland.  As well as specimen trees, the Arboretum is planted with all 32 surviving truly native British trees.  Visitors are encouraged to record wildlife sightings, which have recently included otters, brown owls, kingfishers, brown hares, skylarks and lapwings.

Ross Halley, Lafarge’s senior planning and estates manager, said: “The close proximity of the Alrewas quarry and processing plant to the Arboretum provides every visitor with a visual reminder of the site’s recent history.  Many of the visitors will leave realising that the creation of such a site would not have been possible without a true partnership approach to restoration.”  

Charlie Bagot-Jewitt, chief executive of the National Memorial Arboretum and one of the programme’s interviewees, said: “The quality of land restoration around Alrewas is now attracting international attention and we were delighted to show Countryfile our progress towards creating a truly stunning new landscape within the National Forest.

“The Arboretum has come to mean so much to so many people, especially the families, friends and colleagues of those that have been killed in conflict, and whose names are added annually to the Portland stone walls of the Armed Forces Memorial.”

# # #

The National Memorial Arboretum is the UK’s year-round centre of Remembrance; a spiritually uplifting place which honours the fallen, recognises service, suffering and sacrifice, and fosters pride in our country. The Arboretum is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities. It is a beautiful tribute to those who serve. www.thenma.org.uk.

Lafarge A&C UK is part of the world's largest building materials group and is a major UK supplier of innovative concretes and asphalts, rock, sand and gravel and waste management services. Lafarge A&C UK is proud of its hands-on approach to sustainability, which includes award-winning quarry restoration, the careful management of two National Nature Reserves and the development of sustainable, low-energy homes. Innovation and architectural creativity are at the heart of Lafarge's priorities and in 2010, for the sixth year in a row, Lafarge was listed in the ‘Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World’*. www.lafarge.co.uk.