Poems, poppies, and people at heart of town’s Great War commemorations
Ramsey council offices decorated to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War - Credit: Archant
The Friends of Ramsey Library have working with members of the community to transform the town to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War.
Houses near Abbey Green in Ramsey decorated to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War - Credit: Archant
Residents and community groups around Ramsey have been decorating their houses, bollards and even the town clock to commemorate the end of the conflict.
As well as decorating the town, a series of talks have been hosted between the library and the Ramsey Hertiage and Archive Centre, remembering those from the area who fought in the war, and illustrating what life may have been like in Ramsey.
Centre staff also arranged an open question and answer session on First World War military ancestors and are busy following up on requests for more information from residents.
Volunteers also put on an exhibition at the library called Remembering Ramsey Soldiers.
100 poppies in Wood Lane Ramsey to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War - Credit: Archant
Jean Chittim, a member of the Friends of Ramsey Library, said: “We have worked together with many individuals and groups to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War.
“We have received nearly 3,000 red and purple knitted and crocheted poppies, which have been displayed in the Great Whyte, Church Green and Wood Lane, on wooden and metal railings, bollards and the town clock.
Most Read
- 1 Nursery rated inadequate after inspectors said safety was 'compromised'
- 2 Woman who could barely walk is taking part in cycling event after shedding 19 stones
- 3 Philip Pope named mayor of St Ives for a second time
- 4 Find out what's happening in Huntingdonshire for the Queen's Jubilee?
- 5 St Neots Street Food Fest promises to be "bigger and better"
- 6 Shoplifter barred from every M&S and Sainsbury's in Cambridgeshire
- 7 A14 westbound reopens after crash caused 7 miles of delays
- 8 New organic coffee shop opens in St Neots
- 9 Plans to demolish barn and create organic food business
- 10 Cambridgeshire zoo 'devastated' following death of white Bengal tiger
“We recycled poppies from wreaths and these can be seen in several gardens. Our local dog café has also been busy making a dog out of wire mesh, decorated with purple poppies to remember the animals who died.
“We collected Remembrance Day poppies last year and they have been used in art displays in the library, created by members of the Bosh and Crunch youth clubs. Ramsey Day Nursery has made some plastic poppies and Spinning Infants pupils are soon to make some poppies as well. The cubs and beavers are decorating outside the scout hut, the girl guiding units are painting pebbles and Ashbeach School held a day learning about the Great War.”
Decorations in Woodlane in Ramsey, to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War - Credit: Archant
A First World War poetry reading afternoon, where several local people read well-known poems, along with lesser known ones, including one by Miles Jeffrey Day from St Ives, also took place to remember those who risked their lives.
A coffee morning was held, with the proceeds going to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
To find out more, visit the library at 25 Great Whyte or call 0345 045 5225.
Houses near Abbey Green in Ramsey decorated to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War - Credit: Archant
