The National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Alrewas, around 20 miles east of Gnosall, is marking its 25th anniversary with a packed Armed Forces Weekend on 27 and 28 June - and entry is free.
It may be more that a tootle outside the Gnosall area, but with so many serving- and ex-serving forces in the parish, there's a good chance it'll be popular locally too.
Vehicles from WW2 to the present day
Members of the Military Vehicle Trust (MVT) will be bringing around 15 historic vehicles to the event, including World War Two and 1950s vehicles, Land Rovers and motorbikes. Getting some of the older vehicles there is no small feat - one group of 1950s vehicles is being transported all the way from Wiltshire on a low-loader.
MVT organiser Neill Elliott said the event is hugely rewarding: "Especially when a veteran comes up to you and says 'I remember driving one of these'." It will be the trust's fourth year at the event.
What's on
- Live music from The Heath Belles, performing nostalgic tunes from decades past
- Poets and songwriters from within the armed forces community
- Interactive activities and a family zone with soft play and arts and crafts
- On Saturday, the Ride to the Wall team will present money raised from last October's charity bike ride, which brought thousands of bikers together in support of the arboretum
The weekend is one of 130 local events supported by Ministry of Defence grant funding.
Source: bbc.co.uk
