Mull pupils get on board with Bud
An 18-tonne interactive learning space dedicated to the remembrance poppy has welcomed pupils from seven different schools across Mull.
Known as Bud, Poppyscotland’s lorry transforms into a contemporary exhibition, designed to give people a deeper understanding of the poppy symbol.
Crossing to Mull was the first time Bud had been on a ferry, and it stopped off at three different locations on the island so youngsters from Tobermory school and Bunessan, Iona, Lochdonhead, Salen, Dervaig and Ulva primary schools could visit.
During their visits, pupils heard moving stories from veterans and made their own poppies using the same techniques that have been used by Poppycotland volunteers for decades.
Poppyscotland chief executive Mark Bibbey said: ‘At the heart of every poppy is a story and that’s why we created Bud – to make sure those stories are told, and to help people explore and understand the importance of the poppy.
‘After months of planning, it’s fantastic to see Bud take to the roads of Scotland, visiting communities across the length and breadth of the country. The team work very hard and have early starts, long days travelling as well as the physical set-up of our mobile micro-museum in different places every day.
‘Over the next four years, Bud will play an important role in exploring the history of remembrance and we are looking forward to welcoming more people on board.’
Bud will be on the road for more than 220 days and will visit all 32 local authority areas in Scotland over the course of the next three years.
Denise Baxter, who is chairwoman of the parent council at Salen Primary and was involved in bringing Bud to Mull, said: ‘It was wonderful that we could secure this visit from Bud for the pupils at Salen, and indeed all of other schools which had an opportunity to visit this wonderful, interactive experience. The technology within Bud was cleverly used and helped to ensure the important messages got across. It really got people thinking about conflict in general and stimulated an important discussion.
‘We often, on the island, cannot share the same experiences as children on the mainland and any opportunity to provide them with equal learning experience should always be encouraged. Our school children really benefited from this experience and it was great to have the opportunity to bring something new and hitech to our community.’
To book Bud or to access the supporting learning resources, go to poppybud.org.uk.