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26
Oct 2021
Ripon remembers with 75,000 hand-made poppies
Ripon is being wrapped in a cloak of red as the city prepares for next month's Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
This year, with no covid restrictions in place, Ripon Community Poppy Project is installing its largest display to date, involving 75,000 hand-made woollen flowers, alongside banners and flags.
These reminders of those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts, can be seen throughout the city centre, from Spa Gardens to the cathedral, on roundabouts on the bypass and at other locations.
Hazel Barker, who along with Councillor Stuart Martin and Carol Dunkley, runs the project, with support from an army of volunteers, told the Stray Ferret:
Cllr Martin, who represents Ripon at city, district and county council level, added:
The community poppy project continues to thrive, with knitters - both female and male - in the city and further afield providing their assistance.
At its core is the Knit and Natter group that meets between 9.30am and 11am each Monday morning in the Sun Pavilion Cafe in Spa Gardens.
Ms Barker said:
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion and the messages 'RBL 100' and 'Lest We Forget' have been included on poppy wreaths.
The legion's Ripon branch and the community poppy project, will benefit from the proceeds of a fundraising concert of remembrance being held at Ripon Cathedral on the evening of November 11. Tickets costing £15 are available from Stuff 4 Offices on Fishergate.
A centrepiece of the event, which will include performances from Ripon City Band and the Dishforth Military Wives Choir, will be a replay of a video first shown in November 2018, when it was projected onto the front of the cathedral.
Cllr Martin said:
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