Closs and Hamblin Tribute to WW1 Centenary remembered

As the poppy display at the Tower of London from 2018 is being redesigned for VE Day 80 I wanted to remind you of a local tribute in Chichester in 2018.

Closs and Hamblin in their former shop in North St., Chichester created a stunning and moving commemoration of the centenary of World War One. For several months their customers were invited to get involved. The shop provided patterns and discounted yarn and their customers  responded by creating over 4,000 hand-crafted poppies. The resulting display was simply beautiful. One family donated memorabilia and their story is in pride of place. The 21 police in West Sussex who lost their lives in the conflict were also remembered. An embroidered version of the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by Canadian military doctor John McCrae completed the display.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Vicki - Editor.  Images are writer's own