Stunning Poppy Project brings Catshill village together to remember

This spectacular display features over 6,000 handmade poppies created by local residents to mark Remembrance Day.

Funded by Public Health’s Stay Connected Community Grant, this intergenerational project has also brought together people of all ages, fostering strong community connections.

Residents from the Village’s Halls Knit & Natter Group, local churches, schools, Scouts Group, Games Hub, and more began to collaborate on the project in February this year.

The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents enjoying the Poppy trail around the village.

Councillor David Ross, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are incredibly pleased to fund the Poppy Project through our Stay Connected fund. It’s exactly the sort of project the fund was designed for, people connecting and coming together to create something for everyone to enjoy. Projects like this are vital in bringing people together, fostering a sense of community, and commemorating those who have served.”

Phil Lacey, Chairperson of Catshill Village Hall said: 
“This project wouldn’t have been able to get off the ground without the Stay Connected funding. Over the past six months, so many people have enjoyed coming together to be part of something bigger. Everyone was welcome and I’m so proud of all the groups who got involved.”

Members of the Catshill Knit & Natter Group shared their experiences of the project:

• “The poppy project was excellent. As well as making the village look good and bringing remembrance to the front of people’s thoughts, I have met some lovely new people with common interests.”
• “For every poppy knitted, it represented one soldier that has died to give us our freedom to get together in this lovely project and meet some people.”
• “The poppy project brought a tear to my eye when I saw it around the village.”
• “Poppies knitted by our hands with our hearts. A privilege to be a part of this remembrance act.”

The poppies will be showcased at three locations in Catshill until mid-November. The first is an impressive cascade of poppies flowing from the tower of Christ Church. The second is an illuminated poppy wall at Catshill Village Hall. The third is a poignant tribute at the Catshill Memorial, featuring a 6ft sculpture of a soldier and his dog, honouring fallen soldiers and animals.

The Poppy project appears to be just the beginning of communities in Catshill working together. The groups are now planning a big installation over Christmas made up of Granny squares in festive colours.