A ceramic poppy garden has been unveiled at Tipton library, one of a number of Remembrance events held in the borough.
Scores of Tipton library-goers and local school pupils have been making the ceramic poppies as part of a project called Tipton Remembers.
It was organised by library staff and the local history group in partnership with Ceramic Arts and Creative Black Country – who have been running special poppy-making workshops.
Wednesbury poet laureate, Brendan Hawthorne opened the event by blowing a whistle – the signal for men to go ‘over the top’, leaving the safety of the trenches and heading into battle – and performed a selection of World War l-themed poems. Sandwell Mayor, Councillor Ahmadul Haque MBE, cut a ribbon with St Paul's Church of England Academy pupils Nicole and Ibrahim, to officially open the poppy garden.
The garden takes pride of place underneath the library’s memorial boards which list the names of the local soldiers killed in the Great War, and will be on permanent display.
Councillor Haque, said: “I am honoured to unveil this commemorative ceramic poppy garden which has been created by local people and pupils from St Paul’s Academy.
“The garden is now going to be on permanent display and is a fitting reminder of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in The Great War.”
A number of the ceramic poppies which have been made are for sale at the library during the next two weeks.
