Talbot House, Belgium visit

natural feel contributes to the sense of reflection and calmness felt throughout the site. The programming of one hour services, with gaps in-between, allows families to connect with friends and family without feeling rushed.

The team at Maple Park understand the importance of local community. As local residents themselves, they share personal links with the communities near to Maple Park. Their fresh outlook from previous backgrounds outside of the bereavement industry means new, unique and community centred ideas are constantly being developed. Several unique, British made memorials that are based on and around the landscape in the local area to Maple Park are currently being developed by the team. To continue to support the bereaved families and friends we work with we hope to develop connections with community groups, establishing Maple Park as a community hub where people can come for further support. We look forward to opening the café and wake facility in Autumn to enable families to host wakes at Maple Park, as well as opening the café to all visitors and community groups.

Phillippa O'Brien Crematorium Business Manager

On 11th June, Bob Coates, previous editor of this magazine, was the guest of Dr Ian Hussein (ICCM President 2000/2001) at a garden party in the grounds of this famous house to commemorate the opening of its new permanent exhibition. Pictured here receiving a first edition (1929), ‘Plain Tales From Flanders' by the founder, Padre Philip ‘Tubby’ Clayton entitled’.

Ian’s association, rather passion, for this place began in his youth helping out at a subsidiary of the House (Toc-H) in London. When Ian moved to Belgium as a Director for the CWGC (2009-2016) he joined the Association’s committee and was subsequently appointed its President. Ian is also a trustee of the Old Talbot House Foundation.

Opened in 1915, it's described as an ‘oasis of serenity in a world gone mad’ indeed, it served as just that for hundreds of thousands of soldiers, of any rank, during both WWI and WWI - a 'home from home' where they could find a library, a concert hall and a magnificent chapel in the upper room. Here they would find comfort, humanity and peace.

It is a must visit, even stay, next time you are in the area discovering the immaculately kept CWGC cemeteries or attending the daily service of remembrance at the Menin Gate, in nearby Ypres, sounded by the Last Post Association (of which our Past President is a Patron).

Visit their website https://www.talbothouse.be/en/ and experience a virtual tour of the house.