Remembering those who served

Over 2,000 hand-crocheted poppies mark Remembrance Day

More than 2,000 crocheted poppies were used to create a remarkable display to commemorate this year’s Remembrance Day, in recognition of those who sacrificed their lives in service.

The first few poppies were handcrafted by our Wool Club, which has been learning the skill as part of their weekly sessions. Following their call-out to family, friends, alumni of the Loughborough Schools Foundation’s schools and the local community, the boys received a staggering response, with poppy contributions being collected since September.

Over the last few weeks, the poppies have been attached together to create a cascading display above the entrance of the historic Tower, located in the Quad which sits in the heart of our School.

Loughborough Grammar School’s Co-Curricular Lead, Emma Hopper, who first raised the idea of creating the poppy display, said: “To see the idea grow from Wool Club’s first few crocheted poppies to the final display of thousands of poppies has been truly inspiring. It’s been so heartwarming to see our school, and wider community, come together to create something so impactful to recognise Remembrance Day.”

Our Combined Cadet Force (CCF) cadets also played an important part in Loughborough’s Remembrance Service, held on Sunday 8 November. Over 200 cadets from the contingent formed part of the town’s annual Remembrance Parade, marching from the Foundation’s Burton Walks campus through the town centre to the Carillon Tower, Loughborough’s War Memorial.

This sense of community togetherness is echoed through the poppy display, which not only honours Remembrance Day but also reflects the strength of our connection to the wider community.

The Loughborough Town Remembrance Parade is such an important occasion for us. To march as a contingent, alongside veterans, reservists, other youth groups and uniformed organisations, is a real privilege. Standing shoulder to shoulder as we remember all those who have served, those who have suffered or fallen, and their families, is something we must never take for granted. Learning that what binds us is stronger than that which divides us, is an essential lesson. Once again, our CCF cadets made us immensely proud. They demonstrated the values at the heart of our organisation: high personal standards, teamwork and the strength of mind it takes to be a light in the darkness.

Lt Col. Contingent Commander, Ben Ward