Arboretum changes name under planned rebrand

The National Memorial Arboretum will begin operating under a new name on Wednesday, following a planned rebranding.

The arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, announced earlier this year that the 150-acre (61-hectare) estate would be renamed the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens, following its full integration into the RBL, its parent charity.

The move provoked a backlash among visitors and some veterans, prompting a petition signed by about 25,000 people.

In a post on social media, the charity said it was the beginning of a new chapter after 25 years, but "our purpose remains the same".

The site has 420 memorials which honour the service and sacrifice of the armed forces, emergency services and other civilian organisations, including the Sands charity's baby loss memorial.

The Royal British Legion has said that the naming process included research and consultation with members of the public, members of the Armed Forces community, volunteers, and staff.

The change would also simplify the running of the site, with only one board of trustees across both organisations, cutting administrative duplication, lowering costs and allowing for "greater agility in decision making".

In its post on Tuesday, the estate said: "We closed our doors to the public at 5pm as usual today, but the team are still working hard to get ready for the beginning of our new chapter tomorrow [Wednesday] as the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens," it said.

"For 25 years, we've led the nation in Remembrance, providing a year-round dedicated place where people can come together to remember incredible acts of service and sacrifice made by members of the Armed Forces, Emergency Services and civilian organisations.

"Our purpose remains the same as we open at 10am tomorrow [Wednesday] as the RBL National Remembrance Gardens."

The name change was described as "diminishing" and "unnecessary" by some earlier this month, and the petition claimed it "undermines its rich heritage and the deep emotional connections many have with it".

More than 300,000 people visit the site every year, including 26,000 young people on educational trips.

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