A stunning illuminated poppy display has been installed in Llanfair Caereinion town centre as a symbol of remembrance.

More than 100 crocheted poppies cascade from the Old Court House, opposite The Goat Hotel, to a six-foot cross with the words ‘Lest We Forget’ lit up in High Street.

The creator of the display, who does not want to be named, was inspired by the moving First World War centenary commemoration at the Tower of London where a moat was filled with thousands of ceramic poppies.

“It was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. I was so impressed. I also saw the one at Hereford Cathedral, it was a smaller scale but it was still so impressive.

“It just lingered with me and I thought what a wonderful gesture and we don’t have enough here in Llanfair. So many people have stopped by my door telling me that more people should see it.”

 

St Marys Church in Llanfair Caereinion was lit up in red as part of the tradional Remembrance traditions. Picture by Anwen Parry/County Times

St Mary's Church in Llanfair Caereinion was lit up in red as part of the tradional Remembrance traditions. Picture by Anwen Parry/County Times

 

It took up to six days to create the large wooden cross. Llanfair Caereinion resident Ann Friend crocheted 103 red poppies to mark each year since the end of the First World War. There are also 21 poppies that have a leaf attached to them to commemorate the interwar period; the years between the Armistice of November 1918 and the German attack on Poland in September 1939.

“The rest are plain poppies which is up to present, and next year I’ll add another one,” he added.

“I care what happened and I still remember the fallen.”

St Mary’s Church in Llanfair Caereinion has been lit up in red as part of the Remembrance events in the town. The church will remain red until Remembrance Sunday, November 14, to coincide with the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Large plastic poppies have also been placed on the churchyard walls near the town’s war memorial.

This year, the Royal British Legion is marking 100 years since the nation’s collective Remembrance traditions were first brought together, such as the poppy, two-minute silence, Armistice Day, the service for the Unknown Warrior, and the march-past at the Cenotaph.