Hand-made poppies on show for Remembrance Day parade

A cluster of the knitted and crocheted poppies that have been donated.

The poppies have been knitted or crocheted, and donated to Mansfield District Council for a display at the Old Town Hall along the route for the parade on Sunday, November 12.

The deadline for handing in the woollen poppies to the Civic Centre is this Friday (September 29), and once all have been collected, the council is asking for more help from Mansfield people in the form of sponsorship.

“We would like people to come along to the Market Place on special dates in October to sponsor a woollen poppy,” said Coun Kate Allsop, executive mayor of Mansfield. “Sponsorship is £1, but we’re asking you to dig deep and to donate whatever you can to help us support the Royal British Legion.

“By sponsoring a poppy, you will be part of this community project. Simply make your donation and attach a poppy to the netting, which will then cover part of the Old Town Hall ready for the parade to pass by.”

The Market Place dates for the sponsorship initiative are Sunday, October 1 (11 am to 3 mpm) when there will be an artisan and craft market; Wednesday, October 11 (11 am to 3 pm) when there will be an international mini-market; Sunday, October 22 (11 am to 3 pm) when there will be a car show; and Tuesday, October 24 to Saturday, October 28 inclusive (11 am to 2 pm) when there will be a half-term ghost-hunt.

The parade, which will start from the Civic Centre and lead down Chesterfield Road into town, via West Gate, and on to St Peter’s Church, has been organised by the Royal British Legion.

Sophia Snell, the Legion’s community fundraising manager, said: “We are thrilled that the community in Mansfield is coming together to raise much-needed funds. The woollen poppies are absolutely stunning, and we are grateful for the support given to us.”