Cirencester Creates Human Poppy to Commemorate 100 years since WW1

CDC Media Release date: 19 November 2018

Photo courtesy of Eve Dunlop

The Chairman of Cotswold District Council has thanked everyone involved in the remarkable remembrance ceremony at Cirencester on 11 November which saw about 3,300 people coming together to honour fallen combatants one hundred years after the end of the First World War.

Cllr Julian Beale said,

“I am grateful to everyone who gathered in the town centre for a truly remarkable show of respect for the war dead.  The volunteers donned red, green or black ponchos to form a human poppy, each representing either a local person or an unknown soldier who was killed in combat.

“I understand that this collective act of remembrance broke previous records for a human display and will probably feature in the next Guinness Book of Records.  I certainly hope so because it was such a marvellous achievement and shows how much people in the Cotswolds appreciate the sacrifices made by local soldiers to preserve our security and wellbeing today.”

Cllr Joe Harris, the Leader of the Lib Dem Group at CDC was equally impressed,

“Sunday’s Armistice Day was always going to be special 100 years since the end of World War One. The service of remembrance in the morning was a moving commemoration and time for reflection, particularly when the names of the war dead from the First World War were read out. I’m also pleased that Lt. Sam Jacques R.N, who is from Cirencester, was able to join us and read a poem during the service.

“The human poppy in the afternoon was a wonderful example of community spirit; young and old people came together as a reminder and celebration of the freedoms we enjoy thanks to those who gave their lives locally. I was thrilled to be part of this spectacular event.”

Mayor of Cirencester Cllr Nigel Robbins, commented,

“The community spirit shown on 11 November was outstanding and made me very proud to be mayor of this town. I am very grateful to everyone who helped to organise such a wonderful day, including The Barn Theatre artistic director Iwan Lewis and the Cirencester Community Development Trust.  I would also like to thank both the Town and District Councils for their fantastic support, both financially and also by pulling out the stops to expedite processes which are required to stage a public event of this magnitude.

“This follows on from last year’s wonderful Abbey 900 celebrations and the increasing success of our annual events – the Phoenix Festival and Cotswold Hare Trail. We now have a substantial group of townspeople who are keen to get behind Cirencester and enhance the experience of living in – and visiting – our wonderful town.”

Courtesy of Bob McNally, Press and Media Liaison Officer

Cotswold District Council

Tel: 01285 623120