Residents in Sudbury are being asked to help commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War by creating a stunning cascade of poppies from a town church.
Sudbury Town Council has launched a campaign for at least 5,500 knitted/crocheted poppies to make the dazzling display from the Tower of St Peter’s, on Market Hill, to mark the anniversary.
People are being invited to get involved by taking out their knitting needles and making the poppies which will fall from the church tower to create a spectacular visual effect.
The council is working in partnership with the Sudbury and District Royal British Legion and Simply Handmade – which is based at the Stour Valley Business Centre in Brundon Lane – on the project.
There are two knitting patterns available to download from the town council’s website or they can be collected from the town hall, tourist information centre in the libary or from Simply Handmade.
Last year, more than 5,000 woollen poppies cascaded from the bell tower and over the walls of St Mary’s Church, at Walsham le Willows, near Bury St Edmunds, following a campaign.
The poppies were knitted and crocheted by more than 75 talented crafters around the village to mark Armistice Day.
Jodie Budd, assistant town clerk, said the initial idea was taken from the Walsham campaign, and the council would like the whole community to get involved in the project.
She said: “We wanted to do something to commemorate the 100-year anniversary and thought this was a way that everyone could get involved, whether they are beginners or experienced knitters.
“We’re calling on everyone in Sudbury and beyond to help with the project and the more poppies we have, the more stunning it will look.”
St Peter’s, which was last used for public worship in 1971, has submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to assist in a major regeneration of the building.
A decision on the funding application of just under £2million is expected in March.
All poppies need to be dropped into the town hall or Simply Handmade by October 1 and any donations of red/black wool would also be appreciated.
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