Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Archives

Harrogate remembers the fallen30,000 poppies to cover Knaresborough castle for Remembrance Day

Knaresborough Castle is to be covered in 30,000 knitted poppies as part of this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations.

The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion has organised the poppy display to mark the armed forces charity’s centenary.

Last year’s remembrance commemorations were reduced due to covid so the Knaresborough branch was determined to do something big this year.

The 30,000 knitted poppies have been collected over the past two years from local women’s institutes, craft groups and individuals who have spent hours supporting the project.

The poppies will be installed onto the castle from November 2 and remain there until November 15.

Children from five Knaresborough primary schools are making 1,500 poppies using recycled petals from last year’s wreaths.

Large scale silhouette figures of the classic British ‘Tommy’ and modern service personnel will also be displayed along with a dog, to commemorate the sacrifice animals have played in conflict.

The lamppost poppies and flags will also make a comeback to the Market Square.

This year also marks to return of Poppy Appeal collectors, who raise funds for the RBL. The Knaresborough branch has put out a plea for more volunteers to sell poppies in Lidl and Marks & Spencer.

Knaresborough branch may not survive

Previously, the branch has warned it may not last much longer if more members can’t be found.

David Houlgate, the vice chair of the Knaresborough branch, said:

“There is a real danger that the branch in Knaresborough may not see out another five years, let alone another 100.

“The branch is now down to just a handful of active members and the concern is that the Knaresborough ‘standard’ that is strikingly visible at Remembrance events and the annual Remembrance parade through the town, will have to be laid up if new members cannot be found.”

Mr Houlgate emphasised that anyone can join the RBL, they don’t have to have served in the military.

To volunteer or become a member call Alan Pitchfork, chair, on 07984700429.

Image Gallery: Ripon and Harrogate resplendent in readiness for remembrance

In the run up to this year’s Remembrance Day, almost 40,000 knitted poppies have appeared around Harrogate and Ripon.

Between 25,000 and 30,000 poppies can be seen at prime locations throughout Ripon, after people involved in the Ripon Community Poppy Project spent thousands of hours making the stunning displays.

Many of the poppies were put in place over the weekend. The cascading display on the walls of the town hall (below), was installed with help from a Ripon fire station crew.

The ones seen in Harrogate town centre were donated to the Poppy Appeal campaign last year.

They were put up this morning by a small socially distanced group including Harrogate Mayor Cllr Stuart Martin.

Fiona Burks, of independent business Yarn Etc helped to coordinate the effort, and will be offering poppies to businesses for their window displays.

Cllr Stuart Martin said:

“The comments we’ve had since putting them up this morning are just tremendous. People are so pleased that we’re making an effort for Remembrance Day and you can’t help but smile when you see them.”

Cllr Martin is encouraging people to commemorate Remembrance Day on November 11 by observing two minutes of silence from their doorstep, and placing poppies in windows.