Fylde Memorial Arboretum

With the support of Blackpool Council, the Forestry Commission, and Transpennine Express, along with many helpers, the Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee created the Fylde Memorial Arboretum in the Spring of 2009.
Its purpose is to provide the Service Associations, and also the people of Blackpool and neighbouring areas, with living memorials to remember their fallen comrades and loved ones in surroundings of peace and beauty. At the same time this community woodland will be making a positive contribution to the environment.

The site which is 2.2 hectares (5.5 acres) in size, is situated in Greenlands Ward next to Moor Park School on Moor Park Avenue, Bispham. It contains a multitude of young trees of diverse size and species which have been planted by many volunteers who were organised and directed by the Blackpool Parks Department. Over time these trees will develop into a beautiful and well managed woodland.

To facilitate access throughout the site, meandering pathways have been laid with footbridges crossing the tiny streams. Benches have been provided so that visitors can rest and meditate at their leisure. A hard-standing car park has been constructed which adds to the many street car parking spaces previously available. Further facilities will be continually added to the woodland.
The 'Services Glade' area of the Arboretum is surrounded by two concentric circle of 32 young trees most of which have been dedicated by member associations of the FESLC and special ex-service organisations connected with the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre areas. At the base of each tree has been fixed its own individual polished black granite plaque which has been inscribed with a badge and an epitaph.

A monument, beautiful in its simplicity, has been erected within the Glade.  It is topped by a large slab of polished black granite, inscribed with the words:

“THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED IN THIS COMMUNITY WOODLAND, THE FYLDE MEMORIAL ARBORETUM, FOR THE FYLDE EX-SERVICE LIAISON COMMITTEE, IN JUNE 2009. THE TREES WILL PROVIDE A HAVEN OF PEACE AND BEAUTY FOR ALL WHO VISIT, AND SERVE AS A LIVING AND LASTING MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE OUR FALLEN COMRADES AND LOVED ONES”.

A large flagpole seemingly stands sentinel behind it, with the Union Flag flying proudly and permanently at its head.

Surrounding the Glade is another defined wooded area, the ‘Millennium Grove‘, which is devoted to the memory of service personnel, previously resident in the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Boroughs, who have died while on active service during this millennium. 

The Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee is pledged to place commemorative plaques alongside selected trees in the Millennium Grove to honour every one of those heroes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                During the annual service in the Arboretum, on Friday 29th June 2012, a plaque will be placed to commemorate the death of one more brave soldier, Sergeant Nigel Coupe, who was killed in Afghanistan on 6th March 2012. 

Also during this year's annual service at the Arboretum there will be the dedication of a newly developed area which will be named after our Vice Chairman who sadly passed away in March of this year.                                                                                 The area will be called the 'JIM HOULDSWORTH BOWER'.

In any part of the remaining woodland, anyone in the community can commemorate a loved one by arranging to have a standard plaque set against                              one of the trees. 
Further information and application forms can be obtained by contacting:-  
Don Aiken 8 Penrose Avenue, Blackpool, FY4 4DH. Tel: 01253 312929     
email: daiken@blueyonder.co.uk

THE MILLENIUM GROVE

                                                  WE WILL REMEMBER THEM