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Thousands of handmade poppies crafted for Armistice tribute in Sudbury




SUDBURY: Blind lady who has made 600 poppies for memorial.Mrs Jo Fitzlyon, 85, who is registered blind has made more than 600 crochet poppies for the Sudbury poppy memorial. Picture Mark Westley. (3976163)
SUDBURY: Blind lady who has made 600 poppies for memorial.Mrs Jo Fitzlyon, 85, who is registered blind has made more than 600 crochet poppies for the Sudbury poppy memorial. Picture Mark Westley. (3976163)

Church groups and volunteers have surpassed their target of thousands of hand-made poppies to grace St Peter’s in Sudbury next month, marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Volunteers have been meeting every Thursday in Sudbury Town Hall to knit and crochet poppies and sew them on to cargo netting.

They are creating a striking red cascade to be hung from the top of the community venue on Market Hill next month.

Town Clerk Jacqui Howells says the poppy making has proved so popular that the sessions are to continue throughout September, even though the target of 15,000 poppies has already been reached.

She said: “It’s really brought the community together.

“People are enjoying coming along every Thursday and getting together.

“They see it as a social event. We’ve learned that it’s a chance for some, who would otherwise be stuck at home, to get out and about and meet people and not be lonely.

“So, that’s why we’ve decided to continue it throughout this month.

“The more poppies we have, the better. It’s a big cargo net and there is always room for more,” she added.

One woman who has made a big contribution is 85-year-old Jo Fitzlyon, who belongs to the church group from St Gregory’s.

She has made more than 600 crochet poppies.

Registered blind, it has taken Mrs Fitzlyon around four months to make a total of 603 poppies.

“I get my wool from a woman on the market and I’ve just carried on making them and got to 603,” she said.

“I can’t knit but I worked out how to crochet them as I can just see enough,” she said.

The cargo net, which volunteers are sewing their poppies on to, has been donated by RAF Honington.

Mrs Howells said anyone is welcome to go along to the sessions in the Assembly Rooms to brush up on their knitting or crochet skills.

“There are people who can show you how,” she said. “It’s a straight-forward garter stitch. If you’ve forgotten how to cast-on, you can find out.

“The sessions run from 10am to 4pm and we have refreshments available. There is also a lift.”

Patterns for the poppies are available to download from the Sudbury Town Council website or can be collected by visiting the town hall.