Pupils from Monkton Park Primary School in Chippenham have played a key part in marking Armistice Day by crocheting 60 poppies for a special wreath that travelled with Her Majesty Queen Camilla as part of GWR’s Poppies to Paddington initiative.
Organised by the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership, the poppies were crocheted by pupils in Years 5 and 6, helped by teachers and their families. Seven of the talented pupils attended Chippenham train station, meeting The Queen and presenting the wreath to the Poppies to Paddington Train Manager.
The GWR ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train is the annual Armistice Day commemoration remembering those from World War 1, World War 2 and conflicts since who have fought as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The wreaths travelled to Paddington Station, being ceremoniously laid at the foot of the station’s ‘Tommy’ war memorial statue ahead of the remembrance service.
Sophie Martin, Community Partnership Manager at TransWilts, said: “The railways played an incredibly important role during the World Wars and continue to do so today. We were so pleased that pupils from Monkton Park School joined us in this year’s commemorative events and that their work and creativity will play an important role in how the nation is marking the day.”
In addition to crocheting 60 poppies for the wreath, with the help of teachers, parents and grandparents, pupils also made extra to sell to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Monkton Park teacher Mrs Penny Hamilton added: “This project has been such a meaningful way for the children to learn about remembrance. Crocheting the poppies gave them time to reflect on why we mark this day, and they were so proud to see their work become part of a national tribute.”
Year 5 pupils Eira and Jacob were among those who attended the wreath presentation at Chippenham station. Eira said: “It was amazing to see our poppies go on the train and know they would be at Paddington Station. Meeting the Queen was really exciting too – I’ll never forget that!”
“I liked making the poppies because it felt like we were doing something important,” Jacob explained. “When we gave the wreath to the train guard, I thought about all the people who fought in the wars and how we were remembering them.”
To find out more about TransWilts, visit www.transwilts.org.
Article from Vox PR and Marketing
