A joint community tribute of tree and bulb planting, together with the placing of hand-made poppies to mark the centenary of the end of World War One will be held inside the Penn Inn Roundabout in Newton Abbot over Remembrance Weekend from 9th – 12th November 2018.
Newton Abbot Community Interest Company, the Newton Abbot Royal British Legion and Transition Newton Abbot are working together to host the event.
Local residents and those from local businesses and organisations are invited to place their own hand-made poppies in a designated area within the Penn Inn Roundabout. In addition, bulb and tree planting will take place echoing the regeneration project in 1920 when local schoolchildren planted trees in Milber Woods. This event also features in a specially devised circular sound-walk through the Woods, beginning and ending at the Penn Inn. A book of memories will be available for people to record their reflections, as well as memories of families and friends involved in the conflict.
In advance of the event, local people are being invited to knit, stitch or craft poppies from any material. Emily Farrell the CIC’s Business Manager commented that “we are encouraging everyone to get involved in making a poppy and then coming along to Penn Inn over Remembrance weekend to place their poppy in memory of local people who lost their lives in this conflict. The event marks the centenary of the end of World War One, but also recognises the importance of the Penn Inn as a community space for local residents.”
Helen Chessum from Transition Newton Abbot added “there are many touching local stories connecting our town with the events in WW1. We feel it is fitting to use the space inside the Penn Inn to make our own local tribute to the end of WW1 centenary. Do join us”.
As part of the Project, two poppy making workshops are taking place at Buckland & Milber Community Centre in Gilbert Road. These are on Tuesday 16th October from 10.00am – 12noon and Thursday 1st November from 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Entrance is free and materials are provided. Poppies made at these workshops will be placed at Penn Inn over Remembrance Weekend.
The event will be open from 12noon on Friday 9th November throughout Remembrance weekend. A ceremonial tree planting with the Royal British Legion will take place at 1.00pm on Friday 9th November. All the poppies placed will be removed for recycling on Monday 12th November.
For more information contact Emily Farrell on (01626) 206690 or visit www.newtonabbotcic.org.uk
