Cardiff City Stadium’s memorial garden is looking graceful this autumn, thanks to the ongoing work put in by Cardiff City Armed Forces Veterans Hub members, who are very proud to be involved.
The Hub is a social isolation project organised by Cardiff City FC Community Foundation. Led by their Community Project Lead Michael Jeffery, it creates a welcoming space where veterans can build meaningful connections and find community support Click here to learn more.
The Memorial Garden has become a very popular and comforting part of our community since opening in September 2012, with 34 requests for plots in the garden being submitted since April 2024. Twenty-nine of those have now been completed.
As part of the programme, veterans take on meaningful work maintaining memorial plots at the garden. They build the plot surrounds requested by families, provide decorative items to help families personalise their loved ones' memorial plots. Beyond the initial setup, they return regularly to keep the grass trimmed and ensure every plot and the wider garden area is maintained to a high standard. This ongoing work gives veterans a sense of purpose and responsibility whilst providing a valuable service to bereaved families in the community.
Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust and Cardiff City Supporters’ Club further support our Veterans and both bodies have recently contributed close to £500 worth of new equipment and adornments that were gratefully received. The small shipping container on site, used for storing essential equipment, was purchased from raffle funds raised by an independent Cardiff City away day travel group in 2023. A special memorial wall was built free of charge recently by local builder Malcolm McCann, a prominent Bluebirds fan.
Everybody can support the Veterans and their tending of the garden. Volunteer days are held each summer and this year we saw a huge turnout, with close to 70 supporters, veterans and community volunteer group representatives dropping by. Several longer term jobs that had been put on hold were quickly completed thanks to the group spirit and effort.
Imagery and contributions to article courtesy of Michael Spear.
To find out more about the Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub and Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, click here.
For information on the memorial garden and family requests, email Cardiff City SLO Paul Corkrey via slo@cardiffcityfc.co.uk
