My inky travels along life's rocky road

Monday 13 October 2014

Poppy Planting

I may have mentioned before (a few times!) that I love poppies. Last Friday I volunteered to plant some poppies at the Tower of London. This is part of Britain's commemoration of the centenary of the start of WW1. Each ceramic poppy is handmade, brought to the Tower in boxes, mounted onto stakes of differing lengths and planted in the moat. By Remembrance Day this year (11th November) there will be 888,246 poppies - each representing a fatality in the war. The art installation is entitled 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' which is a line from a poem by an unknown author.

  
The poppies tumble out of a window and flow around the moat in swathes. The sight is tragic and beautiful at the same time.
 
 
I was lucky that the weather was dry, bright and not too breezy and was able to see the artist Paul Cummins who thought up the idea. I enjoyed the assembling and planting so much that before I knew it my 4 hours were over.
 
 
If you are in London and haven't visited the installation yet , I urge you to do so. It is truly awesome and you don't even need to buy a ticket to see it.
 
 
From 12th November onwards the poppies will be removed, washed and sold with proceeds going to 6 service charities. I have already placed my order...


7 comments:

  1. A spectacular display in remembrance of those who lost their lives, and how wonderful to be part of putting the display together.

    Sylv xx

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  2. Lovely to see the poppies close up (I saw shots when they first started the installation and it looked impressive even then but there was nothing with indvidual poppies). A really effective and affecting idea from the artist - awe inspiring in the truest sense.

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  3. How lovely to be a part of this Rukhshana ! Looks fantastic !!

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  4. We went to see these last month , & so stunning to see but also very sad when you remember the meaning of them. We've brought a poppy & glad the money is going to a few charitys.

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  5. Oh Rukhshana how wonderful to be part of this fabulous memorial. It does look stunning from the photos and love the ones you have shown on your blog, hadn't realised the poppies were at different heights. It is a very moving memorial.

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  6. I was there last Tuesday. We were on the bus, we decided on the spot to get out and have a look at the installation. It really deserved it.
    Gorgeous to be one of the volunteers!

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  7. Wonderful! It must feel great to take part in this amazing project.

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I read and value all your comments.

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