A giant poppy has been displayed in Bratton as part of the village’s Remembrance Day commemorations, which will also include a church service, parade and wreath-laying ceremony.
Organised by the Bratton Branch of the Royal British Legion, led by chair Col. Mike O’Donoghue, the poppy will remain in place at Picquet Hill until Tuesday 12th November.
Cllr Keith Rayward said, “ Bratton has felt that the giant poppy is a special reminder of those from the village who fell in the two World Wars. We have had this one for five years, and it replaced the earlier one that was destroyed by the strong winds that can affect Picquet Hill.
“The lessons were learned, and the current poppy is fabricated from the heavy-duty vinyl used to cover lorry trailers. Fastening it down is quite a skilled pastime, requiring close attention to the tension of the fabric with fixings every half metre around the perimeter.”
A Remembrance service will be held on Sunday 10th November, at St James’ Parish Church at 9.30am. This will be followed by a parade, including veterans and village groups, departing from the Bratton Church Institute at 10.45am and proceeding to the War Memorial, where a short ecumenical service, wreath-laying and the two minutes’ silence will take place. The Bratton Community Brass Band will support the event.
On Monday 11th November, there will be a short ecumenical service at the War Memorial, followed by a two minutes’ silence at 11am. A wreath will be laid by the pupils of Bratton School.
