Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Vicky’s knitting ‘mission’marks Legion’s 100th
APENSIONER has knitted hundreds of poppies – to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion.
Vicky Chambers, who lives at Acer House care and dementia home in Weston-super-Mare, started knitting during lockdown as a way to keep her busy.
She pulled out her needles following last year’s remembrance service after learning the Royal British Legion was to mark its centenary in 2021.
“I needed something to do during the last lockdown,” said Vicky, 79.
“I always missed buying the knitted poppies when I used to pop into Sainsbury’s so I thought it would be a good idea to make my own.
“I wanted to start with something small which I could finish quickly,
“I started out with a plan to knit enough poppies for the staff here, but it’s kind of escalated.”
Vicky, who was taught to knit by her grandma Margaret, has now knitted more than 300 of the poppies which feature in a special remembrance display in the foyer of the care home at Milton Road.
Great-grandma Vicky says she’s been knitting everywhere – while sitting in bed and in the lounge.
As well as the traditional red poppies she has also knitted mauve ones to remember the animals lost in the wars and black ones to mark Black History Month.
She is hoping to sell them all, with the money going to the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
“I have already sold some and they seem to be well received,” said Vicky.
“The family of staff members have
I started out with a plan to knit enough poppies for the staff here, but it’s kind of escalated VICKY CHAMBERS
taken some for their dogs and have put them on their collars.”
The small poppies are £1 and the bigger ones are £2.
Vicky now plans to embark on her next crafting project – knitting and crocheting decorations for the Acer House Christmas tree.
This is not the first time Vicky has used her knitting talents to help others.
In the past she has knitted boobs for the maternity unit at Weston Hospital to help teach new mums how to breast feed.
Acer House manager Sam Ealden said: “We are super proud of Vicky and she has been on a one-woman mission to knit these poppies.
“They are mini works of art.”
Other residents have also worked to craft a display at the home for Remembrance Sunday, making poppies out of cupcake cases and buttons.
The knitted poppies are on sale to the wider public at the home. People can call at the home where they can purchase one in return for a donation to the charity.