Man branded 'racist' for creating a Remembrance Day display in Blackpool
The display included images of poppies and the Union flag, along with some uplifting music
Last updated 13th Nov 2025
Blackpool resident David Mowbray was shocked to be branded ‘racist’ – for creating a Remembrance Day display outside his home.
David, 57, set up a projection light show with music outside his Arnold Avenue house in South Shore, paying tribute to those who gave their lives in times of war.
The display included images of poppies and the Union flag, along with some uplifting music.
But he says that outside his home, a hoodie-wearing passer-by on an electric bike uttered the word “racist”.
David, who moved to the town from Oldham this yer with his son Mason, said: “I was out filming the house, did some quick shots in the dark, and this young lad went past on one of those electric bikes and called me a racist.
“I assume it was to do with the house – the poppies, the digitally created flag – dies that make me a racist? No, it doesn’t.
“It does make me think, though. Is there a young generation out there that thinks wearing a poppy or flying a flag is racist?
“And if so, are we educating them wrongly at school, Is it the parents or are they educating themselves on YouTube?
“Anyone who knows me knows I’m not racist, but that’s the thing – not everyone knows me.
“I’m patriotic but that’s not the same as being racist.”
David’s seven minute Remembrance Day show included a stirring British Legion video about Remembrance Day and the Poppy Appeal, a short animated film about how war affects animals and finally a Remembrance Day song.
David has come up with the seven-minute display in conjunction with his new YouTube channel, Mason’s Dad.
The former pub manager, who used to run the Colliers Arms in Oldham, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease this year and he decided to branch outset up the channel.
He said: “It does make you reflect on things, ” he said.
David said his own display supported Blackpool Council’s big remembrance event at the Cenetaph.