Remembrance Day: Communities come together to help Pontefract Civic Society's Poppy Appeal

Pontefract Civic Society’s decoration squad are collecting poppies made from the base of plastic bottles to be mounted on Pontefract town hall

So far, volunteers have come forward from the Thorneycroft centre, schools in Pontefract, St.John Ambulance, the Civic Society, Pontefract Heritage Group, FAB, the brownies in Featherstone and members of the community have been painting and decorating plastic poppies to be put on display for Remembrance Day 2020.

Once permission is granted from Wakefield MDC, the poppies will be attached to netting to adorn the face of Pontefract Town Hall, which will be professionally installed.

Phil Cook, Civic Society vice chair, said “We reckon we have 600 in hand, or pledged, and we know there’s more to come, so we’ve set our sights on three designs using 600, 900, or even 1,500 poppies fastened together.

“We will remember them in a quiet and dignified way. If anything, this makes 2020 even more poignant, and whatever happens at least one or two of us will lay a wreath at 11am on Remembrance Sunday."

“A mass decoration of 1,500 poppies sounds ambitious, but based on the support we’ve had locally on other decorations since the squad started with the Tour de Yorkshire 2019, I really do believe that, together, we can do it.”

The Civic Society is calling on members of the public to put their creativity to the test and make a bottle base poppy to be mounted on the town hall with the rest of the display.

Poppies are needed by October 26, or soon after, so they can be mounted. These can be dropped off at Pontefract Library, Michelle's Flowers, Crown Estate Agents and Thorneycroft Halfpenny Lane.

Brian Berry, of Ackworth and Pontefract Royal British Legion said: “It is with great sadness that this year we are unable to have a parade or a ceremony, however we thank the civic society and others for their work.

“To the fallen in all conflicts, We will remember them in a quiet and dignified way. If anything, this makes 2020 even more poignant, and whatever happens at least one or two of us will lay a wreath at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

“We must not encourage gatherings, though in your own time on or around November 8 to 11, please visit the war memorial, spend a quiet moment there and lay your own tribute if you wish.

“Remember also that the Royal British Legion needs more members, not just those who have served in the armed forces”.

For a tutorial on how to make the bottle base poppies click here