Reflection on the past gives us the opportunity to come to terms with the interpretation of prior events and to help us create meaning from them. This can then help us with an understanding of the world and our place in it. Reflection and remembrance can be highly effective tools when looking back on difficult times in our lives.
This is especially true of the Armed Services whose members have often made personal sacrifices and of course many of whom are suffering long-term trauma from their experiences.
The Crich Tower memorial stands on a hill above the village of Crich in Derbyshire and is dedicated to the memory of the 11,409 Sherwood Foresters who fell in the Great War, as well as the 1520 who fell in the Second World War. It also commemorates those who gave their lives for their country between 1945 and 1970 as well as those of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters who were lost between 1970 and 2007, and those of the Mercian Regiment since 2007.
Every year on the first Sunday of July, a Pilgrimage and Service is held at the Crich Memorial site where members of the Mercian regiment, old and new gather to pay their respects and meet up with their comrades. Members of Derbyshire Freemasons had been invited to attend these services and were honoured to do so.
Following a chance meeting between the then Provincial Grand Charity Steward of Derbyshire Freemasons Michael Hitchcock and Cindy Clarke (Assistant Regimental Secretary of the Mercian Regiment) it became clear that the Freemasons might be able to help and assist in bringing something new to Crich. The Freemasons of Derbyshire had already given assistance to the Air Cadets and Sea Cadets as well as having many members who are ex-military, especially in the United Services Lodge which meets in Derby, so the decision to support the Crich Memorial was a natural step.
It was identified that the Regiment were hoping to create a memorial garden area on a patch of land on the site and the Freemasons immediately offered to get the job done at their cost and using their resources.
Armed with shovels and picks Derbyshire Freemasons pulled together and got the work done. The result is a stunning garden area designed to be a haven of peace and tranquillity and a place where people can sit and remember their loved ones that have given the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of us all so that the world can be a better place.
The garden was formally opened on June 19th 2023 when the Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire Ian Copestake was joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill, the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Theresa Peltier, The Mayor and Mayoress of Amber Valley Cllr Tony Holmes and Mrs Lindsay Cox and members of the Mercian Regiment including the mascot Lance Corporal Derby, and Assistant Grand Master of United Grand Lodge of England Steven Varley, together with other guests and representatives from Derbyshire Freemasons.
Lt Colonel David Dawber DL, the representative of General Ian Cave CB, The Colonel of the Mercian Regiment, gave a speech thanking the Freemasons for making an idea come to fruition.
He said: 'The Crich Memorial has historical significance for The Mercian Regiment and its antecedent regiments and the site is dedicated to them. Whilst not taking away the significance from the Regiments or their soldiers or veterans, it is noticeable that the site means so much to so many others.
'The Memorial Garden offers a place of quiet contemplation to anyone who has lost a loved one. In time, memorial plaques will be available to purchase, by anyone who has lost a loved one, who had an infinity with Crich, regardless of their connection to The Mercian Regiment'
