‘The white poppies reflect a desire to build a culture of peace’
After coming in for criticism in the past, Hannah Hiles finds out why some people choose to wear a white poppy
WHITE poppies have been around since the 1930s but they have become increasingly popular in recent years - with the number of outlets selling them across the country more than doubling in the past five years.
They represent remembrance for all victims of war and a commitment to peace, and also stand against any attempts to glamorise or celebrate war.
White poppies have been seen as a controversial choice but are becoming more mainstream, with even the BBC allowing their presenters to wear one this year if they choose to do so.
There are currently two places in North Staffordshire where you can get a white poppy, as well as buying them online.
Keele University Chapel has offered white poppies for sale for a number of years, and traditional red poppies are available elsewhere on campus. The Chapel holds an act of remembrance at 11am on November 11.
Chaplain James Pritchard said: “For me personally wearing a white poppy, with its focus on all victims of war, not just our own military personnel, is important. As well as remembering all victims of war, for me the white poppies reflect a desire to build a culture of peace that fits with my own values and personal faith.
“For a number of years prior to my time at Keele I would wear both a red and a white poppy as I was keen for the wearing of a white poppy not to be seen as the lack of a desire to remember our fallen service personnel.
“For me however, it has become increasingly important to remember all affected by war and therefore the white poppy has become the way I can best visually express this.”
White poppies are also available in North Staffordshire at Butt Lane Baptist Church, where people can pick them up for free.
Minister Les Sanderson said: “We put them out and leave it to the individual as to whether they decide to wear one – and many do. Some of the congregation wear them, some wear the traditional red ones and some decide to wear both. I would say they are becoming increasingly popular.
“On Sunday I shall be wearing a red poppy symbolising remembrance for the sacrifice made by many and still being made by many in modern conflict, and also a white poppy. I wear a white poppy because as an ordained minister in the Baptist Church we should always seek a peaceful way to solve disagreement.”
White poppies have been worn in the run-up to Remembrance Day since 1933, when the were founded by members of the Women’s Cooperative Guild who had lost loved ones in the First World War. They are now distributed by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU).
Money raised through white poppy sales goes towards promoting nonviolent approaches to conflict and producing educational materials.
Geoff Tibbs, of the Peace Pledge Union, said: “White poppies stand for remembrance of all victims of war, looking beyond national borders, as well as a rejection of militarism and a commitment to working towards a peaceful future.
“These messages have a renewed urgency today, as covid and the climate crisis have shown the need to co-operate peacefully across borders and that militarism cannot make us safe.”