CIRENCESTER came to a standstill today, with more than 3,300 people taking part in the creation of a record-breaking Human Poppy. 

This collective act of remembrance on November 11, broke the previous record of 3,000 in a human poppy and was a deeply symbolic tribute on the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

From 2pm this afternoon volunteers streamed into the Cotswold town market place to form a sea of red, green and black.

Each representing a named fallen soldier from around the Cotswolds, or an unknown soldier, this was a chance for the community to come together and unite with one common cause, in an event that will surely be remembered for years to come.

Organisers came up with the ambitious plans under the umbrella 'We Remember 1918'.

Daisy May Cooper from the hit BBC hit comedy 'This Country' helped to promote the event, with a video a few days before urging people to take part. 

Speaking to the Standard after the event, she said: "I am in shock and so moved that this many people have turned up."

Geoffrey Clifton Brown MP also took part in the record breaking Human Poppy as well as Earl and Countess Bathurst. 

Lady Bathurst said: "This is an extraordinary event. It goes to show what a close knit community Cirencester is and how highly we regard the past. It is quite emotional to see so many of our town and other areas coming together to commemorate this special event."

Speaking after the event, Councillor David Fowles, Acting Chairman of one of the organising bodies, the Cirencester Community Development Trust,  said: "Cirencester is amazing. I am speechless and so proud that the young and the old have come out to commemorate and to celebrate. This shows such community spirit. It has been very moving."

Barn Theatre artistic director Iwan Lewis was instrumental in making the Human Poppy a success.

He said: "This has been unbelievable. We ran out of ponchos. It has been a huge success. 

"Although it will take a few weeks for Guinness to verify the record, this is an amazing and epic event."

Pat Day from Cirencester was there "because we should never forget. It is great to see so many people here, including children. It is a real community event."

Dawn Witt from Stratton had come to take part with her husband Simon. "We have come to be a part of the Remembrance," she said.

"This is also personal for me as I lost someone in the Great War -  Sidney Rowe was killed in Kefalonia. This is lovely to see everyone coming together. It is really special." 

Not all the participants had come from Cirencester. Stephen Tanner had come from Highworth with his wife Michelle and son Jack."As an ex-serviceman I understand the importance of Remembrance," he said.

"This sort of thing helps to get the younger ones involved which is important as we should all remember." 

The day will finish with a spectacular Gala Remembrance Spectacular Concert at The Corn Hall tonight from 7.30pm.

Organised and produced by the Barn Theatre, the Gala Concert will feature Daisy May Cooper and local celebrity Tweedy The Clown, as well as West End stars and professional performers from part Barn Theatre shows such as Little Voice and The Secret Garden.

Visit barntheatre.org.uk/remember

  • View our gallery of photographs from Paul Nicholls to see the stunning sight and see if you can spot anyone you know!