A STUNNING new artwork has been unveiled in memory of the fallen.

Around 50 volunteers from Hawkshaw Methodist Church and the village’s Monday Afternoon Social Club have spent the last few months making paper poppies and stitching them to netting to create the Weeping Window artwork in time for Remembrance Sunday.

Displayed between the 3,000 poppies at the church, in Bolton Road, are photographs of the 47 servicemen from Hawkshaw who have given their lives in armed conflict.

It will be on show at the church from 2pm to 4pm on Remembrance Sunday and between the same times on November 14 and 16, as well from 10am to 2pm on November 15, when children from St Mary’s Hawkshaw C of E Primary School will visit.

The project is the brainchild of churchgoer Gladys Hampson, who was inspired after seeing a photograph of a Beefeater stood by last year’s poppy display at the Tower of London.

A year ago, Mrs Hampson, aged 82, asked friends to donate their poppies to her and she began stitching them to the netting, until it became clear that there would not be enough poppies - so churchgoers began making them.

Another helper Elizabeth Lomas said: “We were so inspired by the poppies displayed at the Tower of the London and wanted to produce a weeping window in the church.

“A request for volunteers was cast far and wide for this project. Everyone became enthusiastic as they could see the realisation of the vision.”

Mrs Hampson said: “The first time I saw it all finished, I cried. It looks great. When people have seen it, their first reaction is ‘wow’.

“It has to be seen to be believed and it is perfect for Remembrance Sunday.”

The Remembrance Sunday service begins at the church at 10.45am after a procession from St Mary’s Church to the Methodist Church.