Vandals have ripped out some of the 1,500 red, crocheted poppies that were adorning the railings surrounding the peace memorial in Ramsgate’s Albion Gardens – but the group responsible for creating the installation has vowed to restore it.
Members of the Crafty Poppies group created the flowers and installed them by the Destiny memorial less than two weeks ago.
Today (October 23) one of the members discovered netting had been cut and poppies chucked into the waterfall in Madeira Walk.
But the crocheters, who had spent hundreds of hours making the poppies, have retrieved as many of the flowers as possible and say they will not be beaten by the yobs.
Group photographer Brian Whitehead and wife Maggie are among those who will scour the area to retrieve the poppies and reinstall them.
Brian said: “We must not let these idiots defeat us. Maggie and I will be going down tomorrow to put back up the poppies that were dumped in Charlotte Square and to carry out what repairs we can.”
Jo Hanchett, who set up the Crafty Poppies group in February, said she was sickened and “angry” but grateful that members were so determined to replace the poppies.
The poppies were installed in memory of the fallen in both world wars and are due to stay in place until the end of November.
Some had laminated tags with photos and words from family members of those who had lost their lives. It is hoped all the poppies can be reinstalled or replaced, possibly using stronger netting.
Previously the group had put around 1,000 purple poppies on the site to commemorate all those animals that lost their lives during the world wars.
The poppies are a symbol of the fallen in conflict.
Remembrance Sunday, held on the second Sunday in November, commemorates the agreement to end fighting during the First World War in 1918.
Remembrance Day is always November 11, marking the 11th hour of the 11th day and the 11th month when the Great War ended.
The Crafty Poppy groups sees around 25 members attend meetings once a month, usually at AiR in Harbour Street. The group are planning a special installation for next year’s 100th anniversary of the end of the First world war.
