One thousand crocheted purple poppies now adorn railings in Albion Gardens

Poppies adorn the railings by the war memorial Photo Brian Whitehead

Crocheted purple poppies now adorn the railings surrounding the Destiny war memorial in Ramsgate’s Albion Gardens.

Members of the  Crafty Poppies group, which was set up in February by business woman Jo Hanchett, have created 1,000 of the poppies to commemorate all those animals that lost their lives on the frontline during the world wars.

Photo Brian Whitehead

The official Memorial Day for those souls is August 23.

The purple poppy was created in 2006 to remember the animal victims of war by charity Animal Aid. The crocheted flowers surround the Grade II listed Destiny memorial, created for the fallen of the Great War.

Photo Brian Whitehead

Jo (pictured above) said: “We have put them around the war memorial.I hope that everyone who sees the installation will now spare a thought for all the animals who died during the wars.

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“The Poppies will remain in place for a month.  I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the Crafty Poppy ladies who have used their skills to create this beautiful display.”

Poppy the dog kept the group company today Photo Brian Whitehead

The Crafty Poppy group has around 25 members attendings meetings once a month, usually at AiR in Harbour Street, and some 60 members on facebook. The group is now working on traditional red poppies for Remembrance Day in November and will be planning a special installation for next year’s 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Find out more on the Crafty Poppies facebook page here