Exhibition unveiled in Parliament in honour of our fallen heroes

Ahead of National Veteran’s Day this Friday (27th June), Chelsea Pensioners will today join Ministers and MPs to remember those who have given their lives for the country at the unveiling of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF)’s exhibition in Parliament.

NHMF was set up in 1980 to provide a year round ‘living’ memorial to the fallen by saving the nation’s most outstanding pieces of national heritage, when there are no other sources of finance available.  Since then, NHMF has awarded almost £246million and saved over 950 items, which might otherwise have left the country.

The exhibition depicts some of the most iconic items and places in the UK that NHMF has helped to save for the nation, including:

  • The Mary Rose - the only 16th-century warship on display anywhere in the world;
  • The Hereford Mappa Mundi - a medieval map of the then known world;
  • The Flying Scotsman – the first steam train to reach an authenticated speed of 100mph;
  • The Duke of Wellington’s Death Mask – who died 14th September 1853;
  • The Three Graces - commissioned in 1814 by the 6th Duke of Bedford.

Dame Liz Forgan, Chair of the NHMF, said "NHMF was set up to remember our fallen heroes and this exhibition depicts some of the UK’s iconic heritage that has been saved in their names.  They include items such as the Mary Rose, the Flying Scotsman and Turner's The Blue Rigi.  Together they tell a powerful tale about our national history and identity, a history that we owe, in part, to their sacrifices."

Sir Patrick Cormack, sponsor of the NHMF exhibition said "I am delighted to be hosting this exhibition. The National Heritage Memorial Fund has made a marvellous contribution to - and has, in many ways, transformed - the cultural scene in this country. It is fitting that we should be holding the exhibition just before the end of Dame Liz Forgan’s outstandingly successful chairmanship."

Photos will be available of Chelsea Pensioners along with Parliamentarians at the NHMF exhibition, looking at the Siegfried Sassoon manuscripts.

A picture gallery of objects that NHMF has helped to save for the nation is also available.

Notes to editors

The exhibition will be on display in the Upper Waiting Hall in Parliament from 23rd to 26th June 2008.

Further information

Clare Makepeace or Alex Gaskell, NHMF Press Officers
Phone: 020 7591 6143 / 6032 or 07941 523 957  E-mail: clarem@hlf.org.uk