The centres of Carlisle, Brampton and Longtown will be adorned with 100 large poppies to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of the Great War.
The initiative, undertaken by Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Carlisle is intended to run alongside and support the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which launches on Thursday 25 October.
Chair of Carlisle Local Committee, Cllr Cyril Weber, said: “The council commemorates the Armistice every year, but with this being the centenary we decided to build on the usual arrangements. I’m delighted that Carlisle Local Committee has helped a number of local organisations to mark the occasion and that we’ll have such a visible tribute in some of our key town centres.”
The large poppies will be mounted onto lamp posts from the launch day on Thursday 25 October and will remain in place until Armistice Day on Sunday 11 November.
Cllr Stewart Young, Leader of Cumbria Council, said: “I am pleased that the council is able to support a variety of events to highlight the sacrifices that our ancestors made 100 years ago. The whole county has really got behind the spirit of the Armistice centenary, and with events and activities taking place across the county, I’d urge everyone to go along and pay their respects.”
Judith Reay, Community Fundraiser for the Royal British Legion, said: “This year, the Legion is thanking the entire First World War generation. That’s not just the British Armed Forces, but all those who fought alongside them from today’s Commonwealth, as well as the countless men, women and children who played their part on the home front.
“Everyone has a reason to say ‘thank you,’ – we all have a connection to the First World War and the Legion is encouraging everyone to recognise the legacy that generation left us.”
A number of events to mark the centenary of the Armistice are taking place in Carlisle, culminating with a commemoration to Cumbria’s fallen at the Cenotaph in Rickerby Park at 2.30pm on Sunday 11 November.
