Seniors craft poppies
Spring was in the air last week at the Waihi Hospital and Rest Home with poppies blossoming across the living room.
A team of rest home residents were crafting red poppies of all sizes, the smaller ones in felt assembled by the women.
The larger ones were painted bright red by the men under instruction from Waihi Armistice 100 committee member, Krishna Buckman.
The women made 58 poppies in just over an hour, and many said they enjoyed the process.
“It is better than our Monday bus trips, and I do enjoy the trips,” Gloria Ellmers said.
Activity co-ordinator at the rest home Robyn Teague said she likes to see seniors involved in a community-wide project.
“It is a lot of fun,” she said. St John Community Care Lesley Warren said that each poppy was unique. “Everyone has created something different in very little space of time,” she said.
Residents from Hetherington House also crafted buttonedpoppies, others made purple poppies to remember the animals which served during the war.
All the poppies will be on display during the 100-year Armistice three-day commemorations taking place from November 9 to 11.
The flowers will embellish 50 of the soldiers’ portraits which will be hung inside the Memorial Hall.
What started as a community event has spread overseas to Brisbane, with people joining the “knitting army” creating poppies of all shapes.
Around 18 community groups from Waihi, Waihi Beach, Katikati to Auckland, Tauranga and Te Anau are involved.
More than 1300 poppies have been created so far with a target of 2000.