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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: River Tyne Lass on Sunday 29 July 18 11:32 BST (UK)
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https://www.newsguardian.co.uk/news/poppies-a-symbol-of-sacrifice-1-9269062
I have come across this article in my local newspaper asking for volunteers to come forward to knit or crochet poppies. These are going to be used in display in the cemetery gates in our area where there are war graves.
This is the first time I have heard the story of Moina Michael and how she was inspired with the poppy idea. I do like her response poem:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?safe=strict&source=hp&ei=bppdW5iPCoHYgQbbvpPwDg&q=moina+michael+poppy+project&oq=moina+michael&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-hp.1.4.46j0l4.2722.9084..14315...0.0...1265.4325.0j7j3j1j6-1j1......0....1.......3..41j46i131j0i131j0i10.tDPzmB78DYE#imgrc=jkb6B-5ES3rQfM:
This was in response to this poem:
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm
It sounds like they will needed a large number to make the displays eyecatching.
I am going to volunteer to make some this week. I was wondering if any of you out there might like to help out with this too. (From the write up (see link)it sounds like it is possible to call in to the centre and they will provide you with a pattern and wool.)
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I am glad they are for the cemetery gates as if more people buy knitted or crocheted ones to wear for Remembrance Day fewer of the original sort will be bought and the money to assist our wounded troops will be much less.
I was bought a poppy brooch, enamel and lovely but I use it to pin one from the British Legion on my coat.
There will be great importance attached to Armistice Day this year ,it being a hundred years since the end of WW1 in November.
I hope that does not mean it will all fade away,as many people think it should.
Such a few moments to remember so much
I have seen the original hand written poem by John Macrae ,it was in St. George’s Memorial Church in Ypres,but now in the WWl museum in the Cloth Hall.
Viktoria.,
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Thanks for your response Victoria.
There seems to be so many plans afoot to commemorate those who served and died in the Great War. This is just one creative way to get people remembering what sacrifices were made. These poppies are for decoration of the cemetery gates so won't deplete money away from the fund-raising poppies.
I think we should remember the sacrifice that was made then. I have several ancestors who were killed during the Great War. I do a bit of War research in my own time for a local group and the personal stories I come across demonstrate clearly the sacrifice. One person I researched was only a fifteen year old boy who was accepted because he was tall and could pass for older.
Wow! That is something that you have actually seen John's original handwritten poem!
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I have just popped along and now have a pattern and some wool to get started. I was also treated to a viewing of the Memorial Garden there and spied the name of a North Shields ancestor - Cuthbert Saint.
I have been told however, that the best day to pop along regarding this venture is WEDNESDAYS - as the lady who is the driving force behind this venture is there then on this day.
Look how many have been made already - but there is still a long way to go - so any further offers of help will be most appreciated.
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My town is having them too.
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Thanks for your response Maiden Stone. Is your town doing a similar thing with the poppies or something different perhaps with display?
I have been told that eventually after the display on the Cemetery gates during the Armistice period the poppies are to be taken and displayed in the Memorial Garden at the Linskill Centre in North Shields.
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Thanks for your response Maiden Stone. Is your town doing a similar thing with the poppies or something different perhaps with display?
I think they will be at the town hall.
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Are you helping out with this Maiden Stone?
If any one else's town is engaged in a poppy venture please feel free to mention it on this thread - especially if help is needed from others who may be happy to help if they only knew about it.
I have been told by the man I spoke to on Monday at the Linskill Centre, that North Shields are aiming for 4,000 poppies, which is said to be how many North Tynesiders died as a result of serving in the Great War.
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I have now heard from the lady who is the driving force behind this poppy making campaign and she has provided some more helpful information.
The aim is (hopefully) to be able to display poppies on the gates of all the Cemetery gates in North Tyneside. To date they now have 2000 knitted or crocheted poppies but need at least 2000 more so a lot of work still needs to be done.
They would like all the poppies ready by the back end of September.
There will be a big display over a 2 - 3 week period straddling the 11th September. (Incidentally, the man I spoke to the other day at the Linskill Centre told me that after the big display the plan is that the exhibit will be moved to the Memorial Garden at the Linskill.)
Any poppies you make to help this campaign can either be dropped in at the Linskill Centre, Room B9 - this office is usually manned from 10 am - 4 pm Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, if you would like to post your poppy the address is:
Poppy Display,
Northumbria World War One Commemorative Project,
Room B9
The Linskill Centre
Linskill Terrace,
North Shields
NE30 2AY
Perhaps you may have a Tyneside ancestor who you may want to commemorate by making a poppy in their memory or perhaps you just like knitting or crochet and would be happy to help out. Either way I am sure any poppy donations will be greatly appreciated.
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This is my first knitted poppy ..
I made this in commemoration of my ancestor Jacob Conroy who was killed in action on the 25th September 1915 during the Great War.
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I was talking to someone yesterday who suggested I should post the pattern. There are a variety of patterns available via the internet and folks can get various patterns too at the Linskill. However, this was the pattern I worked to below. One ball of red wool will make lots of poppies.
Cast on 120 sts
Row 1: Knit (I knit in the back of sts for first row as it makes a straighter line but you don't have to)
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: Knit 3 sts together across the row (40 sts)
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Purl 2 sts together across the row (20 sts)
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: Knit 2 sts together across the row (10 sts)
Cut yarn leaving a tail of about 20 cm. Thread tail through yarn needle and slip all remaining sts on the yarn tail and pull tight. Pull around in a circle and then sew up the seam.
For the black centre either sew on a button or using black wool cast on 16 sts knit one line then cast off. Curl and sew this in a circle and sew onto the poppy.
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Doing a great job there RTL. :)
This thread is from 2013 for Remembrance Poppies, various patterns for crochet/knitted poppies.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=654785.0
Cheers
KHP
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Thank you kiwihalfpint for the compliment and for posting this link. I didn't know about this one and it looks very interesting. I am going to work through reading this all through this coming week.
I work full time and have family commitments and because of this and my hopeless case of an addiction to RootsChat and all things genealogy I work slowly in my knitting progress. I used to know how to crochet but I have since forgotten how to do it.
However, even though I self-confessedly work slowly, I suppose every little helps. I am almost finished my second poppy. I plan to post a photo of each of my poppies dedicating each one to the name of someone (either ancestors or other local people) as my own way of commemorating Tyneside Great War sacrifice. I would like to dedicate one to my Great Uncle John Conroy who died on 5 April 1918 but he was a Sacriston man and this particular project is only for those from Tyneside.
Now let's see .. I am hoping some people will help me as otherwise as 2000 more poppies are needed and I have only completed 1 or now nearly 2 .. only 1,998 to go .. and by the end of September .. I had better get back to my needles tomorrow ..! ;D ;D ;D ;)
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I knitted these - my second and third poppies for the display in remembrance of my ancestor Edward Conroy and his brother-in-law Cuthbert Saint. Both were killed in the Great War.
For the benefit of any other RootsChatters who may be researching the same family tree this is a memoriam that Edward's sister placed in the Evening Chronicle dated - March 8, 1918:
'Conroy.- In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Edward Conroy, R.F.A. who was killed in action March 8th, 1917. Ever remembered by his sisters Mary Ann and Lizzie and family Respected by all Deeply mourned.'
This is the memoriam Mary Ann placed for her husband in the Evening Chronicle - January 7, 1919:
'Saint.- In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. C. Saint, 678, N.F., who died of wounds Jan. 7, 1918. Ever remembered by his loving wife and children.'
Cuthbert Saint was Mary Ann's second husband. They married at the registry office on 18 June 1904. Mary Ann's first husband was Thomas Nichol she married him in the September quarter of 1897. If anyone knows the actual place at which they married I would be interested in hearing of this to add to my own family tree records. Thank you.
There is a memorial inscription on a grave for Mary Ann and her son, also a Cuthbert Saint in Preston Cemetery, North Shields in the Roman Catholic section 'J'.
Mary Ann never remarried and died on 7 August 1952.
R.I.P.
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I am attaching a photo of the last four poppies which I have made. I took the seven poppies in total I have made to date along to the Linskill Centre on Friday. I must say I have enjoyed knitting these little poppies which are easy to make.
The lady who is in charge of this project to make poppies for these Tyneside displays has told me they are doing very well. Around 3000 poppies have now been made but they still need to have about another thousand made by the end of September.
While I was at the Linskill I took some time out to look around and relax in the Memorial Garden. This is worth a visit, especially if you have ancestors who were killed in the Great War from North Shields, Tynemouth or Cullercoats. They will be likely to be named and commemorated in the Memorial Garden at Linskill.
If you can spare a little time to knit or crochet even just one poppy and take or send this to the Linskill, I am sure this will be most appreciated.
And of course, a big thank you to any of you who may have already sent or taken a poppy along. :)
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Lovely red poppy situated in the Memorial Garden at Linskill. I am told this was a gift presented from the French Consulate.
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Sign and poppy wreath in the Memorial Garden ..
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My sister-in-law has said it is okay for me to post a photograph of 12 poppies she has made for the Tyneside displays :) ....
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I have handed my sister-in-laws poppies today and another four from me ..
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When I called along this morning to the Linskill, a group called 'Woolley Minded' (a knitting & crochet group at the Linskill) were all in a hive of activity. They are counting and adding attachments to the many poppies they have received. They are also now planning regarding the final designs of the displays. I have been told that the number '100' for the number of years which have passed since the first Armistice has been suggested as a possible idea.
The aim is to have 4,000 poppies (one for each North Tyneside person who served and was killed as an outcome of the Great War) made by the end of September ready for the displays to go up this November. It is estimated that they now need around 500 poppies to reach the aimed for number.
Please help if you can. I know each and every poppy is greatly appreciated. I was told by a lady from this group this morning that they are so very pleased with the support that has been forthcoming. :)
A big thank you to any of you who may have sent or taken poppies along. :)
I have attached a photo of a possible design in progress .. can't wait to see the final displays around North Tyneside in November! :D
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Happy to Announce .. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! :D ... sort of ..
The lady who is behind this event has now informed me that the great feat of making 4000 poppies - to represent each of those who lived in North Tyneside in the Great War, then known as the Tynemouth area, and who served in the Great War and were killed as a result of this - has now been achieved.
Thank you so much to any of you who may have sent or taken knitted or crochet poppies along to the Linskill Centre for the displays - this is very much appreciated.
However, the lady who is behind this project has also informed me that they would like people to continue with the making of poppies as they would now like to have some more as it is now also planned to make strings of poppies to weave between the railings of the cemeteries and to perhaps add smaller wreaths in addition to the main displays in order to create an even more stand out effect. I think the Tyneside displays are sure to look quite impressive when finished for November from what I am hearing and I am going to try to get some photos of the finished displays on here when these go up. :)
So, please carry on making the poppies if you can, as there is still a need for more now.
I am attaching a photo of my latest two poppies which I have handed in recently.
Thank you.
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I am attaching a photo of my latest poppy which I dropped off at the Linskill this morning - (with several others made by a friend).
They would like poppy knitters to continue with this work as they continue to need poppies which will be attached to strands and woven between railings. This will be another decorative feature to go along with the displays. :)
The Newcastle Evening Chronicle has now also put out a 'rallying call' for poppy knitters to help with commemorative decorations for Newcastle.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/newcastle-poppes-wool-memorial-war-15225881
So come on poppy knitters .. our ancestors did their bit in the Great War .. let us knitters do our bit now by making poppies to commemorate them and the peace which finally came in 1918! :)
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Members of the church near me have made 450 poppies for our town display.
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Gosh well done,well we will do our rather belated commemoration and at least something has been done.
Our church is in the centre of our little town so every year we do have the service at the little cenotaph in the church gardens,two minutes silence and a service attended by The British Legion then in church .
But this time is so special.
Spoke to someone the other day who had been shopping with a friend on the market,the friend bought a poppy ,fabric,from a stall.
My friend said why not buy one from the British Legion,the other person asked well why should they get all the money ,my friend explained how the money is used,to no avail.
How can an elderly person have escaped knowing why poppies are sold,as remembrance yes but to support injured soldiers is the main overriding principle.Those on the market were not supporting anyone only the vendor no doubt.
You can’t believe it can you.
Viktoria.
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Maiden Stone, that is fantastic that so many poppies have been made by Church members for your town.
What a commemoration there is going to be this special year! I expect there will be many displays of poppies to be seen up and down the nation and I have heard that all Church bells will be rung to commemorate the peace that finally came in 1918. I expect November 11th this year in particular will be quite an emotional day for many of us.
Viktoria, I agree - you just can't believe that anyone would even consider buying a poppy at a stall rather than from the British Legion. I think it is a bit despicable that a stall holder would even sell poppies on their stall to line their own pockets.
The poppies sold by the British Legion are sold for a purpose and we should all support that rather than unofficial individuals who seem out to line their own pockets.
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Here is a poster at the Newcastle City library regarding the Newcastle poppy making ..
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As I live in North Tyneside I am helping out with the poppy making in this area.
However, if you live in the Newcastle area and if you are willing and able to, there is going to be a group poppy knitting session today between 11 am and 2 pm at the Grainger Market. These will be used to decorate a memorial in Newcastle over the Armistice Centenary.
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I have had an update regarding the displays which I am now passing on.
On Monday the first putting up of displays is going to begin at Dudley Cemetery. Display work at other Tyneside cemeteries will follow on after this one.
Work at Preston and Whitley Bay Cemeteries will be carried out at a weekend so as not to cause any disruption to any cremation services.
I have also been told that poppies are still wanted so please carry on making these.
A big thank you to anyone who has helped or who is still helping with this commemoration project - your help very much appreciated.
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https://www.newsguardian.co.uk/news/north-tyneside-s-war-memorials-undergo-repairs-1-9415107
This is an article which appears in my local newspaper - 'News Guardian - October 25 2018.
As well as the good news about the repair programme which is planned for local war memorials - if you scroll down there is a mention about the poppy displays and some of the local groups who have been involved in helping out with this.
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I have made these two poppies in commemoration of two local men (brothers) who died serving their country in the Great War..
John George Battista .. 5 November 1916
&
Vincent Battista .. 24 September 1916
I have been told that these poppies will be put on a large 'LEST WE FORGET' signed which is currently being made for Preston Cemetery railings.
There is currently a thread being worked on in which RootsChatters like myself have been trying to solve the brickwall question of what became of John George's and Vincent's Father - Giovanni Battista. No death or burial can be found to date. If you think you might be able to help pop over to this thread for full details.
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=793871.0
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Just to give an update on the poppy displays for Tyneside ..
I have been along this morning and the office is in a hive of activity ..
I have been told that poppy displays are now up at Dudley, Earsdon St Alban, Preston, Whitley Bay and Holy Cross. More poppies are yet to go up too.
I was shown a video clip of the poppy displays that have been put up at Preston Cemetery so far and I have to say, this looks pretty darned impressive! Those volunteer folks at the Northumbria World War One Commemoration Project are certainly doing us proud with all their amazing work!! :D
I have been told that we can keep taking our poppies in until Sunday.
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I thought I would just post a few photos of the poppy displays which are now exhibited at Preston Cemetery North Shields ..