WONDER WOOL
Handmade poppies project saw crafters buy all of island’s red wool
ANGLESEY ran out of red wool after an art project to commemorate the end of World War I grew and grew. Worshippers at St Eleth church in Amlwch started knitting and crocheting poppies to create their own art installation to mark the centenary of the Great War’s end.
The Amlwch Poppy Project wanted to remember the lives lost during the conflict, and as the number of poppies grew they were faced with a shortage of red wool.
A similar weeping window poppy display at Caernarfon Castle in 2016 drew in more than 120,000 visitors.
Supplies were sourced from many shops but there were times this summer that none could be found.
Sally Hulse said the original idea came from Miriam Sanders who approached the vicar, Rev Kevin Ellis, and an appeal was made on social media for knitters or crocheters willing to come and help make the poppies to bring a “weeping wall” to life.
She said: “The response was overwhelming and people all the way from Anglesey to Australia have been getting involved.
“We originally planned to make 10,000 poppies, but when we gathered to create the display we found we had more than 24,000.
“There’s about 22,000 in the weeping wall itself and the others have been spread around the town. There’s a display in the Memorial Hall and at Amlwch Port.”
The dedicated group of volunteer “Poppyholics” have also been making lilac poppies to remember the animals that lost their lives during the war.
Some traditional Welsh poppies, which are yellow in colour, have also been made.
Sally added: “Most of the poppies have been crocheted because they’re quicker to make but we have had some knitted ones too.
“Many of those who have been involved in the project couldn’t crochet before and they’ve learned a new skill. It’s brought everyone together and I think the finished work is stunning.”
Rev Ellis, who admitted to have not made any poppies but had done quite a bit of the sewing, said: “The display is causing people to remember and that is what it is all about.
“I chatted to an old veteran and he wept as he saw the cascade. He wept as he remembered his friends. And I wept with him. You cannot ask for anything more significant than that.”
The installation and the displays will be dedicated at a special service of dedication at the church today at 6pm. Civic dignitaries have been invited to attend and admire the poppy displays.
St Eleth’s church will be open Thursday to Saturday from October 11, 10am to 3pm, and specially made poppies will be available for sale.
The display will remain in place until mid November.