Poppy Power!
WI craft group members pay tribute to war dead by creating 2,000 flowers for spectacular display outside church – and hope it will ‘stop people in their tracks’ this Remembrance season...
A SPECTACULAR array of poppies has been unveiled at a town church in tribute to victims of war.
About 2,000 poppies have been crocheted, knitted or felted by women from the Let’s Make Jam WI group from Newcastle – and are now on show all this month at St Margaret’s Church in Wolstanton.
The group’s craft subsidiary Jammie Hookers came up with the idea and contacted the church’s curate Patrick Griffin with their idea. Now the poppies adorn the external walls and fencing close to the cenotaph at the church.
Mags Johnston, who suggested the installation, said: “I remember as a child, going to Sunday School and then attending the service at the Cenotaph outside Hanley Town Hall.
“To be involved with the poppy display has been an honour and privilege. Working together we have achieved the most amazing display, incorporating thousands of poppies, all made by members, in all shapes, sizes, colours and mediums.”
Jammie Hookers recruited other volunteers to take part in the project, which started in September. A little over a month later they had about 2,000 poppies and began assembling them on display nets.
Group member Pauline Forrester said: “This year I’ve crocheted 237 poppies which have been split between Let’s Make Jam’s poppy display and Meir Matters.
“I have made them in memory of my husband who was in the 237 squadron of the Royal Logistics Corps. Until he died in 2020, he was the Poppy Appeal Organiser for MHF01 North Staffordshire and the Secretary of the Meir Longton Royal British Legion Branch”
Rosie Howe said: “Remembrance Sunday has always been important to our family. We always observe the two minutes’ silence.
“My dad, who was a submariner and a commander in the Sea Cadet Corps for many years, always went out on parade. It’s been a pleasure for me to make a small contribution to this wonderful display. I have kept a poppy back to take to my dad on that day.”
The team hope the poppies will stop people in their tracks to make them think about all those who have given their lives so that we can be free of war. Many felt this was especially fitting with the current circumstances in Afghanistan, and the fact the region is now welcoming large numbers of refugees. The ladies hope their display will be a reminder of the importance of peace, acceptance and support within the world we now live in.
Let’s Make Jam is a vibrant, informal WI group which meets on the second Friday of each month. Jammie Hookers meets on the first Thursday of the month.