Dacorum military veterans invited to VE Day Celebration

Hemel Hempstead Rotary Club and Berkhamsted Rotary Club are arranging a day trip to the National Memorial Arboretum for military veterans in September.

The event was initially planned for VE Day celebration in 2020 but was rescheduled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Rotary Clubs are arranging the trip for September 7, and thanks to a generous grant from Dacorum Borough Council and subsidised coach cost by Barnetts Coaches they are able to provide a free day trip for up to 40 veterans and their partners/carers.

A representative for the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire will be present to see the veterans off and thank them for their service.

The visit will include travel to the NMA, land train tour of the 150 acre site as well as a £10 contribution for refreshments.

The coach will permit wheelchairs where the individual can transfer from a wheelchair to a coach seat. Regrettably, mobility scooters which cannot be folded to fit in a car boot cannot be accommodated.

However, they can be pre-booked and hired at the NMA if so desired.

On Sunday, August 15, Tesco in Hemel Hempstead donated 84 bottles of water and a large selection of chocolate and sweets for the veterans visit to the NMA in September.

There are 28 veterans on the trip and the Rotary Clubs are now opening the trip up for NHS frontline workers who live in Dacorum, and just outside of the borough, there are 12 seats left.

Reservations should be made to Des Knowles, preferably by email des.knowles97@gmail.com or you can call 01442 388586.