A Woodland Dedication

Sometimes, working for Lasting Tribute, you find yourself in some very sobering situations. I've just returned from a woodland dedication. I have to say, it was beautiful.

I went up to shoot to some video, a little sceptical considering it's a Sunday and all, at a stretch of woodland called The Birches, nr. Ambergate. Nicola Parkin, fiancée of Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard was dedicating an acre of woodland in his memory on the day they were due to be married. We helped raise over £2,500, through the website and through events and socials run by his unit, some of whom were there this afternoon.


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Nicola said a few words, and Matt from Lasting Tribute read out an amazing piece of poetry. I hope my video does it justice. The woods were full of his friends and family, reporters and news crews, folks from the Woodland Trust etc., and me with my little handicam.

My skepticism melted away as I heard people talk about Martin and the conflict out in The Gulf, from the heart. It was perfect weather, and we all stood in the sun and shared a silence in the Derbyshire countryside for a soldier, and all soldiers, taken too soon.

Should have the video edited in the next few days, and I'll get it up to the Lasting Tribute area on YouTube.

A nice tribute, warm, heartfelt and respectful and a beautiful day for it. I'm glad I got to be there to see it.