‘Absolutely disgusting’
Vandals wreck outsized poppy display to honour town’s fallen war heroes
VANDALS have wrecked poppy tributes to four fallen war heroes and stolen two others.
Around 200 had been put up across Bollington ahead of Remembrance Day, one for each of the men from the area who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
But on Wednesday evening yobs targeted the large poppies placed on Wellington Road, damaging some and taking others. Members of Bollington, Rainow, Prestbury and District Poppy Appeal had taken time off work to research and organise the tributes and have branded the vandalism ‘absolutely disgusting’ on their Facebook page.
Debra Nixon, 46, is the appeal organiser for the area and one of her relatives, Percy Thompson, died in the First World War and has a poppy dedicated to him - although this has not been damaged.
She said: “A lot of a thought, effort and research went into this, Bollington was significantly affected by World War I and II and we want to make sure this is remembered. We are very disappointed, we hope the people who did this will take time to reflect on what the soldiers gave up for us.
“Being angry about this wouldn’t change anything but I hope the individuals concerned are ashamed and can learn.”
The vandalism was part of wider anti-social behaviour in Bollington that night, which saw pumpkins thrown and smashed in the road.
Organisers are still working out who the two war heroes are that had their poppies stolen.
But the four that were vandalised were to commemorate George Harold Potts, Wilfred Kirkham Page, Joseph Francis Pickford and Joseph Potts, who was just 18 when he died.
It is hoped the six poppies - called event poppies - can be replaced but this is taking time.
Because it is the 100th anniversary of the end of First World War demand for these items has been particularly high.
Debra, who has been involved with the Royal British Legion since 1999, said: “We all took two or three days off work to do this.
“Because it is the 100th anniversary they are so popular this year we haven’t been able to get any more yet but hopefully we should have replacements in time for Remembrance Day.”
Debra has reported the vandalism and thefts to the police via her local PCSO.