A Penkridge community arts project has received a donation from a regional housebuilder to help mark the 100-year anniversary of Armistice by bringing the community together to make more than 8,500 poppies.
Penkridge Methodist Church has launched Penkridge Poppies with the aim of making 8,555 poppies, which is the equivalent of the town’s population, with the support of community groups, schools, uniformed organisations and members of the community.
The project received a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes West Midlands through the housebuilder’s monthly Community Champions scheme.
The poppies will be displayed in a cascade down the front of the Methodists Church with a Poppy Trail around the village for people to follow, with stopping points for information about the Armistice, reflections and poetry.
Persimmon Homes West Midlands is currently building in the town at Lyne Hill Meadow, Stafford Road. Director-in-charge Stephen Cleveley said: “We strongly believe in supporting the communities where we build and are delighted to be able to help such a worthwhile project.”
Craft events are being organised to create the poppies, with one recently supported by Penkridge Round Table
Deacon Sue Culver said: “We are delighted that Persimmon Homes has supported us in this way. We are seeking funding to help with the costs of the craft events and the materials needed to make the cascade and the trail. We do not want anyone to be excluded from the project on the grounds of costs and individual groups have been provided with packs of materials if necessary.”
Charities and organisations can apply each month to the Community Champions scheme for a match-funded donation of up to £1,000.
Stephen added: “If people were unsuccessful in their Community Champions application, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again this year and hopefully they will become our next recipient.”
To nominate and to find out about the terms and conditions people can visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity