Portchester reveals memorial made up of 800 knitted poppies ahead of Remembrance Sunday

A MEMORIAL made from 800 knitted poppies has been unveiled after more than a year’s worth of work from a group of volunteers.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 6th Nov 2020, 15:58 BST
Updated 6th Nov 2020, 18:09 BST
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Jane Wilkinson decided back in January that she wanted to do something different to mark this year’s Remembrance Sunday.

After finding a pattern for a knitted poppy online, she decided to use social media to start a community project – and had more than 800 poppies submitted for the final memorial, which Portchester Health Centre has agreed to display.

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The finished piece includes the names of more than 550 soldiers and civilians from Portchester killed in conflicts since the First World War.

Jane Wilkinson from Portchester, along with other Portchester residents have been creating a poppy memorial since January 2020 and is displayed at Portchester Health Centre. Picture: Sarah Standing (061120-8065)Jane Wilkinson from Portchester, along with other Portchester residents have been creating a poppy memorial since January 2020 and is displayed at Portchester Health Centre. Picture: Sarah Standing (061120-8065)
Jane Wilkinson from Portchester, along with other Portchester residents have been creating a poppy memorial since January 2020 and is displayed at Portchester Health Centre. Picture: Sarah Standing (061120-8065)

The community’s response – with knitters dropping off their poppies at Portchester Hub or the health centre – has left Jane overwhelmed.

The mum-of-two said: ‘This is the first year that I thought do something really different.

‘People were absolutely amazing – we were going to do just cover the board on the display but we got to do the curtain draped down to the floor too.

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‘I thought it was a shame that (the names of the fallen) are tucked away at St Mary’s Church.

‘I’m pleased we have been able to bring them out into the public.’

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A plaque above the memorial details how to find the name of the fallen from the different conflicts since 1914.

More 190 Portchester residents died during the First World War and more than 400 died during the Second World War.

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Portchester’s Townswomen's Guild regularly submitted poppies, Jane said, but many people choose to donate anonymously.

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Jane, whose husband is a Royal Navy veteran, added: ‘On social media, a lot of people have said they have seen the memorial and that it is really moving.

‘We were there last weekend and a lady stopped us and said it’s really good.’

And the 53-year-old is hoping to undertake another project for next year’s event.

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She said: ‘I’m not sure about next year – I would like to do something, but something different.’

The poppy memorial will remain up until December.

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Related topics:PortchesterPortsmouthSt Mary's Church