AN AMBITIOUS Remembrance Day memorial project needs your help to craft poppies for a "statement installation" in Basingstoke
Old Basing WI is leading a campaign to produce a fitting tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War next year, Old Basing WI is looking for community support to produce an impressive installation of knitted, crocheted or sewn poppies to form a waterfall display in time for Remembrance Day 2025.
In preparation for this, 14 WI Members visited the Poppy Factory in Richmond-upon-Thames in September.
READ MORE: All you need to know ahead of this years Remembrance Day service in Basingstoke
Linda Frawley, a trustee of the organisation, said: "We learnt about the history behind why the Poppy was chosen as an emblem, the people involved in setting up the Poppy Factory and the important work that is still done today to employ disabled Veterans.
"Inspired by our trip to the Poppy Factory, we decided to press ahead with an idea from one of our Members to produce a display of poppies to be installed at St Mary’s Church Old Basing in time for the Remembrance Day service this year.
"We set about knitting and crocheting 300 poppies to be installed on a net and draped from the altar.
"In the end, within just 2 months, we had received over 1,000 poppies from various organisations in and around Basingstoke, including the Ivy Club, the U3A, various 'Knit and Natter' groups and individuals from far and wide."
This enabled the organisation to cover two nets in time for the annual parade which this year will be held on Sunday, November 10.
"But we are not stopping there," Linda added.
"We want to produce enough Poppies to cover a 20m x 3m net to be draped off the Church for all to see.
"For this to happen, we need support from the whole community and we shall be contacting local groups and organisations in the near future to make this dream a reality."
The charity is looking for knitted, crocheted or sewn poppies no bigger than 15cm in diameter in any gauge of wool or material.
"We will also be looking for possible sponsors to help us buy the netting once it has been agreed upon.
"Even if you cannot knit or crochet, perhaps you have a relative or friend who can? To make a statement installation, we will need around 2,500 poppies."
Readers who can help in any way should contact Old Basing WI by emailing: oldbasingpres@hampshirewi.org.uk
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