Knitters from across the country stitch 27,000 poppies for Southsea Castle Remembrance tribute
A Sea of Poppies display will be hung on the castle walls to honour armed forces members lost in the line of duty
Over 27,000 poppies have been knitted by people from all over the country to create a spectacular banner which will be hung on the walls of Southsea Castle ahead of Remembrance Day.
The display is intended to offer visitors a moment to pause, reflect and remember, recognising both those who have served and sacrificed, and the personal memories represented by the thousands of handmade flowers.
Alexsis Seed, owner of the haberdashery and wool shop Seeded on Clarendon Road, put out an appeal for knitted flowers for the project A Sea of Poppies back in June.
“The response has been crazy,” she said.
“It's been wonderful. We asked for 13,000 poppies, but we got 27,770. So we've got a fair few poppies!
“What’s been particularly wonderful is hearing the stories behind them. For some people, making a poppy has been a way to remember someone special. For others, it’s been an opportunity to learn a new skill, make new friends or simply feel part of something bigger.
“The poppies started coming in shortly after we started asking for them in about June, and we've been counting them daily since they've been in. I've had some really great help counting them.
“I've had to use an Excel spreadsheet just to make sure that I'm adding them up correctly!
“It's a project that we've wanted to do for a long time, but we've never really had a venue to do it.
“When Claire at the council approached us and she asked whether we'd like to do something for the castle, as it's the centenary year, we thought it would be brilliant.
“This has been a huge undertaking, and there have certainly been moments when I've wondered how on earth we were going to bring it all together!
"But then another bag of poppies arrives, another volunteer offers to help, or someone shares a lovely story about why they've taken part, and I'm reminded exactly why we're doing it.
"This isn't Seeded's display. It belongs to everyone who has made a poppy, helped us along the way or supported the project. It's Portsmouth's Sea of Poppies, and I really hope people will come along, see what we've created together and feel as proud of it as we do."
Local businesses and organisations have also joined the effort, including Portsmouth Water, whose team contributed approximately 350 handmade poppies.
Ms Seed has had help from many volunteers of all backgrounds to stitch the knitted and crocheted poppies onto a backing material to hang from the castle.
One volunteer, Margaret Kelly, has given up over 10 hours to help with the sewing effort. She said: “I live locally, and I come to Seeded for my yarn. I decided to make poppies for the group, and I made about 320, I think.
“I also enjoy sewing, so I've come to sew, and I probably spent a few evenings sewing them on so far.
“It's been wonderful. All the ladies are so helpful. We've had good fun. And we've met different ladies at a time we've come to a different session or a different time of the week.
“It’s really amazing how many people have actually made the poppies. There's been so many lovely stories coming out of this project.”
Although Seeded is no longer accepting poppies for the display, any additional poppies remaining after the installation will be donated to the Royal British Legion and other local projects that have requested them.
Installing the finished banner will be a significant undertaking, with Victorious Festival working closely with Portsmouth City Council to coordinate and deliver the to display Southsea Castle.
A Sea of Poppies will be officially unveiled on Friday 30 October 2026 at 11.30am at Southsea Castle.
Deputy Lord-Mayor Cllr Suzy Horton said: "I am incredibly proud to be unveiling a Sea of Poppies at Southsea Castle. Each one of these thousands of poppies has been lovingly made, by hand, by a local person. Together they’re a wonderful reflection of Portsmouth’s community spirit and creativity.
“It’s especially fitting that this beautiful tribute should be displayed at our historic castle with its connection to Portsmouth’s military past. Thank you Seeded for leading this project. I hope everyone who visits will take a moment to reflect and remember and also feel proud of what our wonderful community has created."