Oakham Fire Station has put out a call to the local community as plans get underway for a Remembrance Garden at the station.

The team are enlisting the help of local knitters and crocheters who would be willing to create a range of red and purple poppies for a Remembrance Garden planned for the fire station throughout November.

Throughout November, poppies are displayed and worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. 

The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth of history and meaning with it, stemming from the First World War.

It is strongly linked with Armistice Day, 11 November, but the poppy's origin as a popular symbol of remembrance lies in the landscapes of the First World War. Poppies were a common sight, especially on the Western Front.

Wearing a poppy is still a very personal choice, reflecting individual experiences and personal memories.

Oakham Fire Station will be honouring the work of the Royal British Legion, who have come to use the symbol of the poppy in their fundraising work for the Armed Forces community, by creating a Memorial Garden this November.

The team shared on social media: "Oakham Fire station Need the help from our lovely local community!

"We would love your help knitting, crocheting or creating Red and purple poppies for our Remembrance Garden.

"Simply follow the link, or pick up a pattern from the foyer at Oakham fire station, South Street, Oakham. Once made, please drop back off at Oakham Station where we will attach a stem and plant them all on 31 October 2023.

"Thank you so much for your support."

Pick up a pattern to join the cause at Oakham Fire Station, South Street, Oakham. Image credit: Oakham Fire Station.

The team have chosen to create a garden of red and purple poppies to not only represent the human lives that were sacrificed during the war, but the animals that were lost too - a particularly poignant choice in Rutland, where the community is so passionate about their dogs, horses and other family pets and working animals.

Can you help? Or do you have another community initiative taking place to mark Remembrance Day?

Let us know by emailing [email protected].