The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire is inviting creative individuals from across the country to contribute toward a new exhibition.

Guiding Lights – Canopy of a Thousand Dreams will showcase 1,000 hand-crafted leaves made by members of the public and local school children, attached to a large indoor tree sculpture.

In addition to being accessible throughout the day, Guiding Lights will be highlighted as part of this year’s Illuminated Arboretum experience, a mile-long winter light trail that draws thousands of visitors to the 150-acre estate.

People of all ages are encouraged to craft leaves using a variety of materials, including fabric, card, felt, crochet, or embroidery, and then post them to the Arboretum for inclusion in the display.

The leaves can be knitted, crocheted, embroidered, or simply decorated in any natural leaf shade; green, brown, orange or yellow. Designs should be double-sided as they may be visible from both sides and from many different angles. Permitted to be a maximum of 30cm in length, the leaves can be of any variety, and multiple entries per person are welcome.

Rachel Smith, Head of Participation and Learning at the National Memorial Arboretum said: “These handmade leaves will symbolise the pledges we make as individuals for our future, reflecting on how we can live and dream as we do because of those that have served and sacrificed on behalf of the Nation.

“The tree they will be attached to will form the centrepiece of our new Guiding Lights exhibition that showcases creative works produced through our 2024 learning and participation programmes that are helping us pass the baton of Remembrance to the next generation.”

All contributions must be received by Sat 23 Nov. Leaves can be hand-delivered to the Arboretum, or posted to Canopy of a Thousand Dreams, National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, DE13 7AR.

The Guiding Lights exhibition will be open to visitors from Fri 6 Dec, coinciding with the launch of the Illuminated Arboretum light trail. It will also be viewable during the day until Fri 31 Jan.

Advance tickets for Illuminated Arboretum are available until Mon 30 Sep, with general ticket prices in effect after this date. In addition to the Canopy of a Thousand Dreams, this year’s event will also feature elements commemorating 1944, marking the 80^th anniversary of many landmark events during the Second World War.

Click the button below to book your tickets.