K.E.S. marks Remembrance Day with a poppy cascade
Every year the students and staff at King Edward VI School (K.E.S.) in Stratford-upon-Avon mark Remembrance Day at services held in the Guild Chapel and the School’s Levi Fox Hall. This year, a stunning 5-metre outdoor cascade featuring over 2,100 crocheted and knitted poppies will be displayed outside the Guildhall.
This has been crafted by members of the School, their families and friends. The School is immensely grateful for the support shown by those in, and indeed beyond, the School community.
Miss Rachel Biggs, Assistant Head and Head of Sixth Form has been spearheading the initiative, sharing patterns for those who were keen to help. Staff came together at lunch-times to help sew the poppies onto the display itself.
Rachel Biggs said “The breadth of support has been incredible with our youngest donor being just 12 years old. Our oldest contributor, who remembers VE Day very clearly, is 99 and created 80 poppies for the display to mark each of the years since VE Day. In particular, the support from the community of Merriott in Somerset, where I grew up deserves a special mention as does the group in Godalming, Surrey where our oldest donor currently lives.”
Students and their families are also being asked to make to the Royal British Legion, helping to provide support to serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Headmaster, Bennet Carr said, “To ensure that each individual is never forgotten, the names of the 84 members of our School who gave their lives in the two great wars of the 20th century are read aloud during our annual Remembrance Services. The Address then focusses on one of our Fallen, which helps our young people understand the meaning of personal sacrifice, the cost of conflict and the enduring importance of peace. The addition of a striking cascade of poppies this year, made by members of our community, provides a powerful visual tribute in School during this period of Remembrance.”
In a further mark of respect, a wreath of 84 poppies has been created and has been hung on the door of the Guild Chapel.