Over 100,000 poppies cover Skegness as part of Poppy Appeal
Poppies have been placed on lampposts and around the clock tower to commemorate Remembrance Day
Skegness is gearing up for its annual Poppy Appeal, a series of events aimed at honouring veterans and educating children on remembrance.
Louise Clarkson, Secretary for the Skegness branch of the Royal British Legion, emphasized the importance of community connection through the appeal: "It's not just about Remembrance Day. It's the way the community support each other and the veterans we have."
Among this year's initiatives, Skegness has transformed the town's clock tower with over 100,000 knitted and crocheted poppies—a visual tribute brought to life by volunteers who worked through the night to create the display.
The community also enjoys a "Poppy Proms" night at the Sun Castle on Friday, 23rd October, inspired by the last night of the Proms with live performances and more decorative poppy installations.
Louise explained the impact of engaging younger generations. She said: "When a child makes a poppy or researches a soldier or does a piece of artwork, they're learning about history and a veterans story".
The events for Poppy Appeal in Skegness go beyond learning from books. With many veterans living in the town, children have the chance to listen to personal stories and gain an understanding of war's legacy, as veterans openly share their experiences.
With modern conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan still relevant, Louise believes Remembrance Day remains significant, stating: "It's not to support war but about being aware that we are lucky to live in peace."
As Remembrance Day approaches, the Skegness branch invites the community to join on 11th November for a ceremony at St Matthew's Church on Dunley Avenue. Veterans will be present, keen to share stories and knowledge with attendees.
The Poppy Appeal allows future generations to be reminded of the extraordinary sacrifices made to secure present-day freedoms, striving for peace and understanding as essential values.