TETBURY Town Council has seen a massive response from the local community to its request for contributions of knitted poppies, for a display during this year’s Remembrance activities.

Over 5,000 knitted poppies have so far been received at the council offices from Tetbury residents and will be used as part of a massive display at the Market House to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

The Council has been amazed by the response to its appeal, which closes at the end of September.

Councillor Sandra Ball, the Mayor of Tetbury, said: “I would like to give a big thank you to everyone involved.

"This project has brought our community together once again; I’m so pleased to hear from the staff leading on this that we have received over 5,000 poppies so far and we are well on our way to achieving a wonderful display.

"We have had contributions from all ages; from the local primary school to the local day care centre. Although we must never forget the sombre background, this has been a fun project for the knitters and the sight of all those poppies laid out for counting was a joy to see.”

Other activities will include a cascade of traditional paper poppies from Market House at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

There will be a display of information about every soldier named on Tetbury’s War Memorial. The Council will also place a six foot high outline figure of a ‘Tommy’ to guard the War Memorial on Remembrance Day, after which the figure will be installed next to the display of stories in St Saviour’s Church.

Children in the local Primary School have been given materials for each one to make a poppy and a black wrought iron memorial bench will be installed to overlook the War Memorial, complete with silhouettes of WW1 ‘Tommies’, highlighted with red enamel poppies.

Councillor Ball added: “The 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War is of huge importance to us all and the Council wants to help the Tetbury community take part. I am very grateful to all those who have knitted or crocheted poppies and I am overwhelmed by the level of response. As a mark of thanks I have invited everyone who has contributed to a Tea Party at the Goods Shed.”