CARPETS of poppies have appeared in Wellington as the town gets ready to commemorate those that have served, this Remembrance Sunday.

Members of the Monumental Women of Wellington, formally Wellington WI, joined by members of the public have been knitting and crocheting several thousand poppies throughout the year for the annual display in the town centre and Wellington Park and Monmouth Gardens.

Poppies adorn the entrance to Wellington Town Council offices and Wellington Museum.
Poppies adorn the pillars at the entrance to Wellington Town Council offices and Wellington Museum at no. 28 Fore Street. (PHOTO: Wellington Town Council)

Town councillors and members of Wellington Royal British Legion attended the official unveiling of the displays, including the cascade of poppies centrepiece on the frontage of Wellington Conservative Club, in High Street which was made in 2019.

Giving pause for thought; young children stop to read some of the messages left on the memory wall banners.
Giving pause for thought; young children stop to read some of the messages left on the memory wall banners. (PHOTO: Submitted)

Members of the WOW community group set to work decorating the town park with knitted and crocheted poppies - most of them from last year’s Poppy Project - in the legion’s Garden of Remembrance beside the town War Memorial, and poppy garlands on the memorial and the chains surrounding it.

A spokesperson for the Monumental Women of Wellington said: “On Monday, members set to work decorating the town with poppies being wrapped around the railings on the junctions of South Street and North Street.

More than one thousand poppies have been collected over the years and are used to decorate the town and park.
More than one thousand poppies have been collected over the years and are used to decorate the town and park. (PHOTO: Wellington Town Council)

“Over time we’ve added the banners on the town railings to provide information about some of the less well-known groups who contributed to the war effort, and have invited the relatives and descendants of war casualties to have their names and other information about them displayed as well.”

The Poppy Memory Wall allows everyone to add to it using slips on all the manned poppy appeal stalls.

Personal contributions have been made to banners representing lesser known groups in the town and their war effort.
Personal contributions have been made to banners representing lesser known groups in the town and their war effort. (PHOTO: Submitted)

A spokesperson for Wellington Town Council added: “The town is resplendent with poppies with these beautiful displays by Monumental Women of Wellington.

“Thank you to all who put the time and effort into making and putting up these displays, it brings colour and joy into the town and helps us remember those who sacrificed so much for us.”

The Wellington Stone of Remembrance with its own poppy cap with poppies also draped over the chains.
The Wellington Stone of Remembrance with its own poppy cap with poppies also draped over the chains. (PHOTO: Wellington Town Council)