MORE than 3,000 knitted poppies are to go on display in Winsley in November for the 100th anniversary commemorations of the end of the First World War.

The poppies have been knitted by some of the 76 members of Winturwell Women’s Institute, which includes residents from Winsley, Turleigh and Conkwell.

Around 50 people have been involved, including children from Winsley Primary School and some of the

residents at the Avon Park

retirement village.

WI president Sally Long, 74, said: “It has been a labour of love.

“One of our members suggested last December that we knit poppies for the 100th anniversary and everybody felt we should make a big effort. We’ve had a lot of fun as well and it has been a community effort.

“I personally have knitted 239 poppies and many of us are suffering from repetitive strain injuries. I’ve had two lots of acupuncture and am still having physiotherapy on my left shoulder.”

Six WI members went to Winsley Primary School to form a knitting club and taught some of the Year 5 pupils how to knit. They were Lorna Begg, Linda Brooks, Carolyne Coles, Ann Kirkpatrick, Doreen Rickards and Sue Wybrow.

Residents, family, and friends all joined in as the number of poppies grew to total more than 3,200.

“We used double knitting wool in bright red bought from Shaws in Bath and other local shops. I think we must have exhausted their supplies,” Mrs Long said.

“Those members who didn’t knit poppies joined in by contributing towards the cost of the wool or made tea.”

Several members knitted around 300 poppies, while others knitted more than 230.

The group has also knitted purple wreaths to commemorate the dogs and horses who died during the First World War.

Several members of the WI gathered at Winsley Bowls Club on Tuesday (October 23) to put the finishing touches to their poppies.

The 3,200 poppies will go on display at Winsley Village Hall from 2pm on Tuesday, November 6 ahead of the Remembrance Day services on the following Sunday.

Afterwards, WI members and others will celebrate the completion of their

marathon effort with a cream tea.

The poppies will be displayed at both ends of the village, St Nicholas Church, the Methodist Church, as well as the Seven Stars pub, Winsley Social Club and the village War Memorial.

Winturwell WI has asked the oldest member, 100-year-old Mina Dudley, to lay a knitted poppy wreath at the War Memorial during the Remembrance Sunday service.