A PROJECT to honour the fallen by creating 4,000 poppies has smashed its target by more than 2,500 ahead of schedule.
Knitters and crocheters, aged from six to 92-years-old, have been busy stitching the poppies to create a spectacular cascade that will flow down St Peter’s Church tower, Inkberrow, in time for Remembrance Sunday.
After advertising the mission, about 170 people from all walks of life became involved, ranging from vicars to a chimney sweep.
Financial support from Thomas Brothers funeral directors and Hills Ford, enabled miles of yarn, hooks and needles to be purchased. The Old Bull pub got into the community spirit by hosting a number of knit and natter sessions.
According to organiser Melanie Hart, completed poppies came from afar afield as Lanzarote, and a group of supporters from Cookhill made deliveries of hundreds of poppies at a time.
With the cascade sewn up more than two months ahead of schedule, the knitters and crocheters are now using their nimble fingers to create a purple poppy display for the animals lost in war.
This will decorate a wall outside the church grounds.
Melanie, who is the churchwarden at St Peter’s, told the Standard the project had been devised together with Tina Hill from Inkberrow WI.
She said: “Last year Tina and I contacted the priest-in-charge, Rev Ian Perry, quite independently on the same day to ask about doing a cascade.
“Her connections with the WI and mine within the church soon got things going then many more people within the village became involved and it snowballed.
“One lady told us how knitting the poppies had helped after losing her dog, which had always sat on her lap at night, giving her a new focus.
“That we smashed our target so quickly and by so much reflects how greatly so many people respect those who fought and fell for our freedom and will do whatever they can to honour them.”
The plan is to have the poppies cascading from the church tower by October 19, when there will be an evening concert with vintage vocal harmony trio, The Bluebird Belles at 7.30pm.
The display will continue into November when tea and cake will be available in St Peter’s Church for visitors.
Tickets for the concert cost £15 and are available from Melanie on 07976 789444.
