A COMMEMORATIVE garden in Whitland was opened on Armed Forces Day (Jun 25) by the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed – Sara Edwards. The garden, which is part of Parc Dr Owen and features a commemorative bench and plaque, was the chosen project for 2016 as part of a four year programme to mark the centenary of the First World War. In 2014 , representatives from the Whitland and Llanboidy Branch of the British Legion, Whitland Town Council, Whitland Memorial Hall and 2420 (Whitland & District) Sqn.
ATC got together to organise events over the following four years as part of the national WWI Centenary Commemorations. This has subsequently led to Armed Forces Day being celebrated for the first time in Whitland in 2014, and a Festival of Remembrance in Ysgol Dyffryn Taf last year. The project for 2016 was the creation of a commemorative garden within Parc Dr Owen. Permission was obtained from the Trustees of Parc Dr Owen for the creation of this garden on the North-East corner of the Parc , against the bank which borders the Afon Gronw.
This garden is, so far, the only project which will stay physically in place once the commemorations of the centenary are over. The other projects will stay recorded in photos, print, and memories, but the Garden will be somewhere where people will be able to go, sit on the bench and maybe think for a few moments about those who lost their lives for their country. It is also hoped that the creation of another small focal point, to add to the existing Whitland Heritage Sculptural Seat, will encourage more people to go for a walk around the Parc.
On Armed Forces Day, the Lord Lieutenant was joined in Parc Dr Owen by the Deputy Mayor of Whitland and the Mayors of St Clears and Narberth Town Councils, as well as representatives from many local organisations and groups and members of the public. The day’s events started with the President of the Whitland and Llanboidy Branch of the British Legion, Kenneth Kendall , welcoming all those present and talking about the garden’s creation. He then called upon Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed to perform the unveiling of the commemorative bench and plaque.
Sara Edwards’ expressed her pleasure at being asked to attend, and explained how she thought that the idea of such a garden was even more prevalent in the current unsettled times , and the relevance of holding the event on Armed Forces Day. Michael Williams, speaking for the Whitland WWI Centenary Group , then said a few words of thanks to acknowledge the contributors to its creation.
Organisers said that the project would not have been possible without collaboration and financial support from the Whitland Town Council, Whitland and Llanboidy Ex- Servicemen Association, Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club, Parc Dr Owen Development Committee, Whitland Town Hall and Whitland Memorial Hall , as well as all the donations kindly given during the 2014 Exhibition and 2015 Festival of Remembrance by those who attended.
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