Armed Forces Memorial

Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas

The recently completed Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas in Staffordshire is a magnificent monument dedicated to the memory of the men & women who have lost their lives serving this country since the Second World War, The opening ceremony, attended by Her Majesty the Queen, took place on October 12th 2007.

The project consists of a spiral path rising to a plateau upon which the memorial walls have been constructed. The path is lined with 52 imposing evergreen oaks, complimented with swathes of turf.
In order to assist the establishment & development of the trees and turf the project Architects approached LS Systems Ltd to design an efficient irrigation scheme.

The design process was under the direction of Tim Griffiths, who drew on his experience of irrigation schemes both in turf and landscape, and commercial horticultural irrigation. Tim also worked closely with the specialist supplier of the trees, Barcham Trees Ltd, to ensure that the correct irrigation requirements were provided.

The resulting scheme centred around an innovative moisture sensor control system, which constantly monitors soil moisture content, and applies water only when required. Sensors were strategically installed to take account of the varying micro-climate conditions that prevail on the memorial mound.

The infrastructure of the irrigation system includes a network of pipe and control cables, automatic valves, sprinklers and dripper tube. Water is stored in below ground tanks, and is distributed by variable speed submersible pumps.

Working closely with the main contractor, Geoffrey Osborne Ltd, LS Systems Ltd completed the project on time, and within budget.