Police Memorial Garden dedicated

The Police Memorial Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum was dedicated  in the name of Police Credit Union on Sunday 20 July.

At a ceremony following the UKCOPS Service of Remembrance at the Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire, the support of Police Credit Union for the upkeep of the area of quiet reflection adjacent to the Beat ( an avenue of trees in memory of fallen police officers ) was marked by a memorial stone and a central area with bench.

The centrepiece also includes a blue police lamppost, which was transferred from Hitchin Police Police Station, with the kind permission of Mrs Sylvia Rayner and Hertfordshire Police. The lamppost is in memory of Mandy Rayner, the first female police officer to be killed on mainland UK and still, at only 18 years of age, the youngest.

The Chaplain from Hertfordshire Police conducted the ceremony accompanied by a lone piper.

The National Arboretum is open 7 days per week and has no admission charge, although donations are welcome. More information about the Arboretum can be found at www.thenma.org.uk