Thousands of Remembrance poppies displayed in Radcliffe

A dedicated group of volunteers have finished their outstanding displays of remembrance in Radcliffe.

Five beautiful displays totalling around 1,000 poppies have been completed by the Radcliffe Litter Pickers who upcycled plastic bottles for their impressive show of remembrance.   

Poppy display in Radcliffe (Image: Public)

Taking around two months to create the poppies, Gill Smith, who volunteered with the litter pickers, Growing Together Radcliffe and Trinity food bank, shared a special thank you to Shelley Hicks and Chetna Smith, who helped with the creation of the displays.

(Left to right) Cllr Andrea Booth, Kim Caroll, Christine Holt, Jack Toomey, Gill Smith (Image: Public)

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She said: “It's a nice thing to do and raises awareness of how people how can upcycle rubbish.

"It is also for a good cause and we hope that people will donate some money to the Royal British Legion too.”

Poppy display in Radcliffe (Image: Public)

Hoping the displays will encourage donations, Gill said that volunteers had spent around two months upcycling the poppies.

Having placed 11 solitary poppies on war graves at St Johns and St Mary’s, the group have also created displays at five other Radcliffe locations.

Anyone looking to see these can pay a visit to Festival Gardens, Church St West Garden, Calm Waters - Barge Garden, Radcliffe Market and St Mary’s Parish Church.

Gill added: “People are very passionate about Remembrance Day, so we wanted to get involved and do something.

Read more: Litter pickers install poppy display on East Lancs Mill gates

“I think we've made around 1,000 in total and there are 350 on the East Lancashire Paper Mill garden gates.

Chetna Smith and Gill Smith at the East Lancs Paper Mill display (Image: Public)

 “Shelley has been making them for around two months and we did the same last year, upcycling plastic bottles, that would usually be thrown away, to make these poppies.”

Gill thanked everyone who helped and Growing Together Radcliffe, where groups come together to work on various projects.

Poppy displays in Radcliffe (Image: Public)

She said: “Anyone else who wants to get involved or help can check out the growing together page on Facebook or Radcliffe Litter Pickers.

Poppy displays in Radcliffe (Image: Public)

“We do all sorts including litter picking and maintaining the church gardens so if anyone wants to be a part of our projects, they can contact us there or via the Radcliffe Litter Pickers page.”

East Lancs Paper Mill display (Image: Public)

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