A Stratford knitting group has found a crafty way to help us remember our veterans and those currently serving our country.
The Stratford Poppy Project honours Remembrance Day by creating hand-made knitted and crocheted poppy installations.
The knitters meet on Wednesdays and are responsible for getting poppy displays organized.
This year, more than 12,400 poppies were collected for the installations.
The first project was last year when they decorated the William Hutt Bridge.
The bridge, named after the legendary Stratford Festival actor, is adorned again this year.
Patty Hawkins-Russell, a member of the Stratford Poppy Project, explained that it is very much a “terrific community project”.
“It’s amazing what a group of women can do with some knitting needles and crochet hooks,” said Hawkins-Russell.
In addition to the bridge, installations this year include a cedar hedge near the Cenotaph and a purple poppies piece honouring the sacrifice of animals who served.
Hawkins-Russell expressed that the community unites through this important display.
“People feel really good about doing it and participating and a lot of them have had a family member that, you know, was a veteran,” said Hawkins-Russell.
For more information, find the Stratford Poppy Project page on Facebook.
