Professor Paul Crawford joined guests at the unveiling of The Tree of Cherished Memories on 29^th June 2022, created by London-based sculptor Jill Berelowitz.

The tree has a special place at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, and provides a wonderful resource where people can add their special memories of loved ones and key life events on the sculpture.

Cast in bronze at the Morris Singer Foundry in Hampshire by Jill’s husband, Director John Berelowitz, the work resembles a giant seedpod blowing in the wind, symbolically offering the memories placed there into the future.

From the reactions of those attending, the sculpture provided a welcome opportunity to reflect and remember key people in their lives, extending the work in a sea of colour and energy—the gathering of family, sponsors and guests.

Most colourful in this scene was Jill Berelowitz herself, the Liberace of Sculpting, who kindly joined and contrasted beautifully with Professor Crawford’s grey attire!

Professor Crawford, who works closely with the National Memorial Arboretum and Royal British Legion on mental health and remembrance, said:

“There is increasing awareness of the power of art combined with nature in supporting people in remembrance. The National Memorial Arboretum and British Royal Legion are stalwarts in developing such resources for military and civilian organisations and the wider public.”

To commission a bronze leaf or figure in memory of someone special visit:

https://www.thenma.org.uk/visit-us/what's-here/the-memorials/tree-of-cherished-memories