Residents organise stunning Remembrance Poppy displays

Werrington WI President, Helen Al-Sheba and Pauline Peploe

Members of the Werrington Women’s Institute spent their lockdown busy sewing, knitting and crocheting near 500 poppies for a Remembrance Day display.

The poppies were then used to create two cascades that have been draped from Werrington’s village sign as well as a wreath.

Predominantly made up of traditional red poppies, the group also created white, purple and black poppies.

This image of the Garden of Remembrance at Whittlesey featuring part of the Poppy Blitz display was taken by PT reader Nigel Gardner, a member of the Peterborough Photographic Society.

The other coloured poppies were made to commemorate people who died in conflict but focusing on achieving peace, animals that have been victims of war and remembering the sacrifice of service personnel from BAME communities.

Secretary, Jane Squirrel was really pleased with their efforts this year.

Jane said: “I think having a shared project has brought our members together. At a time when we cannot remember the fallen through our usual acts of remembrance, we hope that this display will provide a focal point for the community to stop and remember.”

The group have been planning the display since last Remembrance Day have been ‘inspired’ by displays across the country.

Getting straight to work through lockdown, the 44-member-group shared yarn and patterns when some members couldn’t get out to the shops and some members knitted or crocheted over a hundred poppies.

The group which currently meets over Zoom hope the community will love their display, and following posts on social media, residents flocked to tell the WI members how much they were thankful for the Remembrance display, calling it: ‘amazing’ and ‘wonderful work by the ladies’.

In Whittlesey a ‘Poppy Blitz’ is being undertaken by the Helping Whittlesey group.

More than six months ago during lockdown residents began making poppies to make the town stand out and show its respect for those that lost their lives fighting for our country.

More than 100 people have become involved in the project and in excess of 10,000 poppies have been crafted and placed onto decorative panels.

Helping Whittlesey realised that the Royal British Legion would be unable to raise as much money this year from its Poppy Appeal so asked local businesses to sponsor a panel.

Group member Karen Trickey said: “The response of the community has been amazing - almost all the panels were sponsored in two days. We have raised more than £500 already for the RBL.

“Some ladies have spent four days a week putting it all together. The skill and detail they have brought to this project has given us a wonderful display.

“The poppies will be in place around the town for about two weeks. Due to the absence of a parade in the town this year the hope is that the poppy blitz will allow people to reflect.”