Memorial unveiling.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE WAR HORSE MEMORIAL CIC.
We are pleased to announce that the official date for the unveiling of the War Horse Memorial is now confirmed as June 8, 2018 at 11am in Ascot, Berkshire.
This will be such a special day as it’s taken us three years from Alan’s original idea to build a horse on the Heatherwood roundabout to what we have now – a magnificent, national monument which remembers the millions of UK, Allied and Commonwealth horses that gave service and sacrifice during World War 1 of 1914-1918.
As our aspirations have grown so too has the support we have received from people and organisations across the country and abroad. They are too many to mention by name, but they include:
* The generous readers of the Daily Express and our principal benefactor, Mr Tony Pidgley, CBE, Chairman of the Berkeley Group
* Special Ambassadors representing Australia, Canada, America, France and New Zealand
* Our chosen charities The Household Cavalry Foundation and Mane Chance Sanctuary and partnership working with Brooke, Action for Working Horses and Donkeys; World Horse Welfare and Blue Acre Horse Rescue.
* The wonderful veterans’ families and organisations who entrusted to us their precious artefacts from WW1 to be buried in a special chamber at the feet of our horse, many of whom attended our Service of Blessing in Windsor last Tuesday (April 17, 2018)
Although we had hoped for Royal attendance we are delighted that the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley will join us as The Queen’s representative, as will In-Pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea – the Chelsea Pensioners – and members of the 1st Hawkesbury Upton Guides, in Gloucestershire who chose the name Poppy for our War Horse following a national competition open to Rainbows, Brownies and Guides organised by Girlguiding UK – the leading UK charity for girls and young women.
Special mention of course to our wonderful sculptor Susan Leyland for creating such a masterpiece; The Black Isle Bronze foundry, in Nairn, for casting the magnificent monument; Ascot Racecourse Authority for gifting the land for the Area of Reflection and last, but not least the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for their unwavering support.
Alan Carr MBE and Susan Osborne MSc FRSA.
Co-Founders The War Horse Memorial CIC.